President von der Leyen Addresses Children's Rights in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

According to the European Commission Press Corner, President von der Leyen delivered a comprehensive and forward-looking speech in New York on 22 Sep 2026. The high-level dialogue specifically addressed the critical need for protecting children's rights in relation to artificial intelligence. As digital technologies rapidly evolve and integrate into everyday life, global leaders are increasingly forced to grapple with the unprecedented ethical, developmental, and safety challenges these tools pose to vulnerable populations, particularly minors. The address in New York underscored a growing international consensus that technological innovation cannot outpace fundamental human rights protections. The modern digital ecosystem presents a myriad of complex challenges for younger generations. Artificial intelligence systems, ranging from generative algorithms to sophisticated recommendation engines, interact with children in ways that previous generations never had to navigate. These systems influence how children learn, socialize, and perceive the world around them, while simultaneously collecting vast amounts of data. President von der Leyen's remarks directly tackled these looming issues, emphasizing that safeguarding children online and in automated environments is a fundamental duty rather than a secondary consideration. The high-level dialogue brought together policymakers, technology experts, and child advocates to formulate strategies that ensure safety without stifling beneficial technological literacy. Throughout the discourse, participants emphasized that artificial intelligence models must be designed with safety-by-design principles specifically tailored to youth. This includes mitigating risks associated with targeted manipulation, algorithmic bias, privacy intrusions, and exposure to inappropriate or harmful digital content. By addressing these themes on an international stage in New York, the address sought to catalyze global cooperation and regulatory alignment. Governments and international bodies are finding it increasingly difficult to protect citizens within national borders when dealing with borderless digital technologies, making multilateral discussions essential for establishing baseline safety standards. The timing of the address reflects an escalating urgency among global leaders. As artificial intelligence becomes ubiquitous, the window to establish robust normative frameworks is narrowing. President von der Leyen called upon international partners to commit to proactive measures that prioritize the well-being and developmental rights of children over unchecked commercial expansion. The dialogue served as a vital platform for sharing best practices and establishing collaborative pathways to monitor AI developments. Ultimately, the New York event marked a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to harmonize technological progress with child protection. The insights shared during the high-level dialogue are expected to inform upcoming legislative agendas and policy frameworks across multiple jurisdictions. As the world continues to adapt to the profound transformations brought by artificial intelligence, the overarching message remains clear: the digital future must be shaped in a way that respects, protects, and empowers the youngest members of society.