Children’s Rights in the Digital Omnibus on Artificial Intelligence
Eurochild and the 5Rights Foundation call for a firm commitment to protecting children in the digital environment, with the support of more than 80 signatories, including many Eurochild members.
Artificial Intelligence systems are increasingly integrated into products and services affecting children. Besides being direct users, twice as many as adults, children are also indirectly impacted by AI-driven decisions, for example, in schools, law enforcement and healthcare, and by some AI tools that might exploit them.
The European Commission’s proposal challenges some of the key protections in the AI Act, notably regarding high-risk AI systems and transparency requirements, as well as children’s rights to privacy and data protection. The proposal also fails to protect children from risks that increase exponentially, such as nudifying AI systems and functionalities. Children and their rights must be safeguarded and protected through the Digital Omnibus proposals.
Any delay to high-risk AI systems obligations risks leaving children exposed for longer in precisely the sectors where AI is most critical for children’s rights and wellbeing. Concerning the delays of implementation for high-risk AI systems and transparency obligations, we call on you to maintain the current timeline for any systems likely to interact with or impact children.
