Spain pushes UN coalition to protect children in the AI era
A new initiative by Spain seeks global agreement on child-centred AI governance under the UN framework.
Spain has proposed an international coalition to protect children from AI-related risks, using the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva to seek wider support.
Minister for Digital Transformation and Civil Service Óscar López said Spain wants governments to agree on common safeguards to ensure AI respects children’s rights, safety and development.
The proposed coalition would operate under the UN framework. Spain said it already has support from France, the EU and Kenya in efforts to launch the initiative.
According to the Spanish government, AI can create opportunities for education and innovation, but can also amplify risks, including manipulation, harmful content, sexual deepfakes, AI-generated child sexual abuse material and algorithmic profiling of minors.
López said governments should avoid repeating mistakes made during the early growth of social media by introducing safeguards before AI technologies become deeply embedded in children’s lives.
He also argued that AI should be a broad social right rather than an ‘exclusive weapon’, calling for stronger governance based on scientific evidence, innovation and human rights.
Spain highlighted its previous AI governance work, including support for the EU AI Act, the creation of the Spanish Agency for the Supervision of Artificial Intelligence and its role in efforts to establish the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the Independent Scientific Panel on AI.
Why does it matter?
Spain’s proposal places child protection within the emerging UN AI governance agenda. AI-related risks for children increasingly go beyond conventional online safety concerns, covering deepfakes, synthetic sexual abuse material, algorithmic profiling, manipulation and harmful content. A UN-linked coalition could help align national approaches and push child safety into global AI governance discussions. However, its practical impact will depend on whether governments agree on concrete safeguards and implementation mechanisms.
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