![German bishops join initiative for ‘child-friendly’ artificial intelligence]()
German bishops join initiative for ‘child-friendly’ artificial intelligence
Oct 17,26 | 01:32 EST
The German Bishops' Conference, in conjunction with Germany's largest Protestant body (EKD) and the association Seitenstark, has launched a significant initiative called 'KI kindgerecht!' ('Child-friendly AI!') to ensure that artificial intelligence is developed and utilized in a manner that is both safe and appropriate for children. This move is directly inspired by Pope Leo XIV's encyclical *Magnifica Humanitas*, which provides a clear mandate for the Church to actively defend human dignity in the era of artificial intelligence, especially for vulnerable groups like children who face unique dangers in digital environments. The initiative aims to establish a comprehensive code of conduct for interactive AI that prioritizes the well-being of young users through principles such as safety by design, respect for children's rights, the provision of age-appropriate participatory spaces, robust data protection measures, and essential human oversight in AI systems. Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, who chairs the bishops' media commission, emphasized that this collective effort combines protection, participation, and responsibility to ensure digital spaces truly serve the best interests of children, rather than purely economic ones, asserting that the responsibility for safeguarding children online should not fall solely on parents but requires a concerted effort from technology providers and educational institutions.
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