IPRA Discusses AI Risks for Children at UN Event with Journalists and Writers Foundation

The International Public Relations Association (IPRA) UN Bureau attended a Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) event focused on “Empowering Children’s Rights: Youth voices on shaping a sustainable and inclusive future,” where discussions centered on the growing ethical risks posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to young people.

The event featured a presentation by Diallo Kiernon, who detailed several AI risks for children, including data misuse, privacy violations, and exposure to violent content. As AI becomes an integral learning tool in the classroom, the speaker emphasized the heightened need for child protection.

IPRA Issues Ethical Guidelines for Generative AI

The discussion on ethical AI aligns with IPRA’s recent actions, which recognize that while generative AI has the potential to enhance Public Relations, it also carries the potential for bias, misuse, deception, and harm, posing significant reputational risks to practitioners.
Given IPRA’s history of ethical codes, the association has issued specific guidelines for the use of AI.

These guidelines interpret five of the 18 articles of the IPRA code of conduct with respect to the use of generative AI in public relations and beyond.

Call for Responsible Technology Design

Solutions discussed at the event included formulating ethical guidelines for the limitations of AI use in learning. Additionally, policy frameworks should encourage responsible technology design, including parental control and screen time restrictions, incorporating insights from young people themselves.

The New York-based Journalists and Writers Foundation is an international civil society organization dedicated to the culture of peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

The statement confirming IPRA’s participation was signed by Philip Sheppard, Secretary General.