From December 6 to 10, the UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2021 was held under the theme "Internet United" in Katowice, Poland in hybrid way(online&onsite). The Forum included Workshop, Open Forums, Lightning Talks, Launches and Awards, etc.
On December 10, IGF 2021 “Application of Artificial Intelligence for Children - Research Report and Case Study Collection” Launches and Awards was successfully held by co-organizers China Federation of Internet Societies(CFIS), Communication University of China(CUC), and UNICEF in Beijing(online&onsite).
Zhao Hui,Secretary General of China Federation of Internet Societies(CFIS), Duan Peng, Vice President of Communication University of China(CUC), Dora Giusti, Chief Child Protection of UNICEF China, attended and addressed the session. About 120 people from 15 countries, including heads of relevant international organizations, Chinese government and NGOs, universities, and enterprises, attended the event.
Zhao Hui noted that China has always attached great importance to the protection of minors in Cyberspace. The revision of the Child Protection Law of the People's Republic of China, which was officially put into effect on June 1, 2021, added a particular chapter on "Internet Protection", aiming at protecting minors in Cyberspace. Zhao said that CFIS has paid close attention to and actively participated in the protection of minors in Cyberspace since its establishment in 2018. In the future, CFIS will continue to explore the establishment of cooperation mechanisms on AI for children with its unique advantages and share its ideas on enhancing the healthy development of minors on the Internet environment.
Duan Peng pointed out that the rapid development of AI technology not only brings great convenience to children's education, health, and entertainment, but also brings people concerns about privacy protection and fairness. CUC has always attached great importance to the integration of discipline construction related to AI, technological progress, and social responsibility, and has a very deep academic accumulation in the field of intelligent media network. Duan hoped that through the communication of this meeting, all parties can get inspiration from the application of AI technology for children and contribute to the development and application of AI technology in the children related fields.
Dora Giusti concluded that all parties keep exploring Children's needs in development and studying both opportunities and risks brought by AI. She said that all parties should strengthen international cooperation, share experiences with other countries and maintain innovative development. She also urged all parties to abide by their social responsibilities, formulate relevant guidelines, further promote the development of AI for children, and effectively safeguard children's rights based on the second version of AI for Children-Policy Guidance released by UNICEF in 2021.
During the event, guests from Cyberspace Administration of Chongqing, Rongchang District shared their case study:AI Education-Exploration and Practice of AI Characteristic Education in Western China, Alibaba introduced “Children's health-Application and Practice of Smart Sports Learning and Management System”, and Tencent shared “Using AI System to Promote Content Safety for Children”. Attendees also discussed AI technology beneficial for children and related moral and ethical standards.