G7 nations have agreed a common approach to protecting children online for the first time and made new commitments to support safe AI development, according to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Digital ministers reached the agreement during the G7 Digital Ministers' meeting in Paris, where member countries set out shared principles aimed at tackling the growing risks children face online, including exposure to harmful content, exploitation, and emerging threats linked to AI.

The agreement calls on digital service providers to build children's safety into products and services from the outset rather than treating it as an afterthought. The principles also highlight the importance of effective age assurance, as well as improved digital literacy and closer collaboration between technology companies, children, parents, and guardians.

Governments taking part agreed to improve data sharing between online platforms, parents, and researchers to increase understanding of how digital services affect children's wellbeing.
Science and technology secretary Liz Kendall said the agreements would help small businesses to adopt AI and to ensure the technology is developed safely and responsibly.

"AI and other technologies have the power to transform our economies and create prosperity for people across all our nations," she added. "But ordinary citizens and businesses will only see those benefits when they have trust that these technologies are being developed safely and responsibly, and when children can grow up in a digital world designed with their wellbeing in mind.”

Alongside the online safety commitments, ministers reaffirmed their support for the development of trustworthy AI and agreed to continue work on a shared understanding of AI risk assessment frameworks.

The discussions focused on a range of emerging risks, including cyber attacks and the potential misuse of AI to develop chemical or biological capabilities. G7 countries said greater international cooperation would help strengthen public confidence in AI while allowing innovation to continue.

The group also announced plans to support small and medium-sized enterprises with AI adoption. Working with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), G7 countries will develop a tool to help businesses assess their AI readiness, identify skills gaps and accelerate deployment of the technology.

Member states will now work with industry, academia and international organisations to implement the measures and develop future standards for digital safety and AI governance.

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