IWIB4AI Use Case #2: AI & Online Safety for Children and Vulnerable Groups

Panel Discussion Proposal: Exploring AI's Impact on Online Safety for Children

Title:  The Role of AI in Protecting Children Online  (IWIB4AI Use case #2 - AI & Online Safety for Children and Vulnerable Groups)

Objective: The panel discussion aims to explore the evolving landscape of online safety for children in the context of advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. It seeks to shed light on how AI is being utilized to mitigate risks and enhance protective measures in the digital realm, while also addressing emerging challenges and ethical considerations. This panel discussion aims to delve into the unique challenges and opportunities surrounding online safety for children in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK). The discussion will explore how AI can be harnessed to uphold children's rights and ensure a safer digital environment, while also considering the policy implications and regulatory frameworks within the EU and UK contexts.

The format will consist of an opening statement from each panelist, followed by a moderated discussion addressing key topics such as:

• Disabilities and designated groups, ontologies of assistive technology, aspects of accessibility and aspects of policy-focused on these groups.
• Personalisation and socialisation (it is a dilemma for children with disabilities as AI is supposed to help with personalised learning.
• The importance of awareness assessments what does the child need to know when and how? 
• How children in crisis situations with disabilities can find the right help or contact (based on specific needs). 
• Generic guidelines 'for all children" work partly for children with disabilities.
• The issue of persuasive/behavioural/addictive design, and how that impacts specifically children and their rights as a vulnerable group, and how to go about it in policy/regulatory terms. 

Panelists 

Andrea Tognoni is Head of EU Affairs at 5Rights Foundation, focusing on advancing children’s rights in EU digital policies and the online environment. Formerly leading the government affairs team at a global public affairs consultancy in Brussels, he has worked for the EU Delegation to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva and with international NGOs on human rights issues. Qualified lawyer, he holds an LL.M in Public International Law from Leiden University, where he researched the impact of civil society and social movements on global law and governance.

Maud Stiernet is a consultant in AI, Accessibility and Children’s rights. She started her career in the Tech sector and then specialized in Children’s online rights and more specifically children with specific needs using assistive technology to participate and contribute to the online world.

Maud is co-chair of the W3C Accessibility for Children Community as well as an ICT expert Committee for European Disability Forum. She is also a member of AI4Belgium, Eurochild, ForHumanity and the International Association of Accessibility Professionals

Yonah Welker is a technologist, public expert, and voice for advancing the development of algorithms and policies to advance society, human capacity, and designated groups and spectrums, such as ontologies of social and human-centered AI, emerging learning, labor, health, and public solutions. Yonah Welker has made over a hundred appearances and published commentary to bring awareness to social technologies and policies, including technology ontologies, AI and Digital Acts, intergovernmental treaties, technology and humanitarian dialogue. Prior to these efforts, Yonah Welker was co-founder of the Hardwaretech think tank, co-created tech ventures and projects, served as an innovator in residence, and an evaluator and expert for technology transfer and innovation ecosystems, including funds, authorities, and EU Commission-funded projects. Yonah Welker’s commentary, contributions and work have been featured by the White House, the World Economic Forum, Forbes, OECD, and UNESCO.

Moderator: Tatiana Caldas-Löttiger, is an International Business Lawyer and AI Ethics & Compliance Advisor. Tatiana is also a legal futurist, an international keynote speaker. As the founder of IWIB4AI Think-Tank she is dedicated to promoting ethical AI practices and fostering dialogue on AI governance. Her expertise in navigating complex legal and ethical issues in emerging technologies ensures that the panel discussion remains insightful and forward-looking, encouraging critical reflection on the implications of AI for children's online safety in the EU and UK.

Agenda

16:00 Opening Remarks 

16:05 Panel Introductions 

16:10 Panel Discussion 

16:45 Q&A 

17:00 Closing Remarks 

Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/mxv-zsag-esr

Welcome! 

IWIB4AI Team