Macron calls for bans on AI uses that threaten children

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for AI uses to be banned wherever they threaten children’s mental health or brain development. Speaking ahead of the planned adoption of a charter at the Paris Peace Forum, he said the technology should not operate without safeguards.

The charter will bring together research labs, including OpenAI and Anthropic, around commitments such as independent evaluations of generative AI systems and access to their models’ data. Macron said companies would accept pre-audits and pre-certification, including reviews before models reach children. Expert recommendations will inform the initiative, which is intended to shape national and European legislative debates.

Macron wants stronger European regulation and is urging countries including the US and Canada to follow a similar approach. He identified children’s safety, democratic security and national security as priorities. He also convened around 50 heads of state and government, alongside international organisations, companies and researchers, to discuss collective security risks.

The push comes as regulatory approaches diverge across the US, EU and China. EU ministers are due to meet in Dublin to discuss AI regulation, economic growth and safeguards including the AI Act.