Supporting research on AI and children’s safety
OpenAI commits $2 million to fund research on AI’s impact on children’s safety and wellbeing, aligning with a global charter at the Paris Peace Forum.
OpenAI has pledged $2 million to support a global initiative aimed at understanding AI’s effects on children and enhancing their safety. The commitment was announced at the Paris Peace Forum, where OpenAI signed the Charter of Engagement for Safer AI for Children. This effort is part of a broader push for global standards on youth AI safety, emphasizing collaboration among governments, researchers, civil society, and industry to develop practical safeguards.
The $2 million contribution will fund a scientific research network under the Coalition for Children’s Rights and Protection in the Age of AI. The funding supports shared measurement tools to help researchers assess AI’s risks and opportunities for children, enabling the creation of safer products and informed policies. The initiative prioritizes transparency, with research teams retaining control over their findings, which will be published regardless of outcomes.
The Charter of Engagement outlines shared principles for age-appropriate AI, alongside a research program and safeguards to ensure independence. It mandates that findings—including negative or inconclusive results—be made public to build a robust evidence base. This work aims to balance AI’s benefits for young people with protections against potential harms to their safety and development.
OpenAI also reaffirmed its support for comprehensive youth AI safety legislation that enforces strong protections while preserving access to educational and creative tools. Proposed frameworks include default age-appropriate safeguards, parental tools, regular risk assessments, and accountability measures. OpenAI expressed readiness to engage with policymakers, including during the development of the EU Kids Act, to advance stronger protections globally.