UN human rights chief urges inclusion of children in AI policy discussions

The United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned on Tuesday that the first generation to grow up immersed in artificial‑intelligence technologies may also be the last one people consider when shaping AI policy. Speaking at a UN‑hosted forum on technology and human rights, Türk said the rapid integration of AI into education, employment and daily life has created a “generation gap” in which young people’s experiences and concerns risk being overlooked by decision‑makers who are crafting the regulatory frameworks that will govern these systems.

Türk urged governments, tech companies and civil‑society groups to establish mechanisms that actively involve youth in the development, oversight and evaluation of AI applications, emphasizing that inclusive dialogue is essential to protect fundamental rights such as privacy, non‑discrimination and freedom of expression. He highlighted upcoming UN initiatives aimed at gathering input from young digital citizens and called for immediate action to ensure that the perspectives of the generation most affected by AI are not ignored in future policy discussions.