The UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence 2026, held in Riyadh, put child safety in the digital environment in focus, with calls for stronger international cooperation and more effective frameworks and practices to protect children from the risks accompanying the rapid spread of AI technologies.

The discussion took place during a session titled “Advancing Children’s Safety and Wellbeing in the AI-Powered Digital Age”, which brought together international experts to examine emerging challenges facing children as intelligent systems and applications become increasingly embedded in everyday life.

Participants highlighted the importance of building a safe, age-appropriate digital environment that takes children’s rights and needs into account, alongside raising awareness of the potential risks associated with AI technologies.

The session also stressed the need to broaden cooperation among regulators, technology providers, education institutions and other relevant stakeholders to develop responsible solutions and practices that strengthen children’s protection and wellbeing while they use digital services and platforms.

Discussions addressed the need for child-protection frameworks to keep pace with rapid technological change, ensuring that the benefits of AI—including innovation and new services—are matched by safeguards that uphold human safety, children’s rights and wellbeing.

Child Safety within a Global Dialogue on AI Ethics

The session was held on the second day of the forum’s fourth edition, which brings together officials, experts, researchers and policymakers from around the world to discuss AI governance, ethics, and the responsible and safe use of emerging technologies.

The forum is organised by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in collaboration with the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) and in coordination with the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

Riyadh is hosting the forum from 14 to 17 September 2026—the first time the international platform has been hosted in an Arab country—creating a space to exchange expertise on building more responsible AI frameworks and protecting communities and diverse groups from potential risks.