Google tests kid-friendly AI assistant amid safety concerns

In recent developments, Google is actively working on a new AI assistant tailored for children younger than 13 years old. This initiative comes as part of a broader attempt to address increasing safety concerns regarding children's interaction with digital technologies. The Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has expressed serious worries about children relying on online chatbots for guidance instead of seeking advice from parents. She emphasized the importance of providing children with richer life experiences and engaging parents quickly enough to compete with AI services like ChatGPT. The need for a responsible alternative to conventional AI assistants is more pressing than ever. As Google phases out its original Google Assistant in favor of Gemini, the tech giant recognizes that younger users require adequate protections to navigate these powerful tools. Despite the upgrade to Gemini promising an experience that mimics conversation with a real person, this brings a heightened risk of misinformation and exposure to inappropriate content. Consequently, Google is laying down additional safety protocols to confront these challenges. Among the key changes proposed for the new assistant includes an explicit warning aimed at children: “Gemini isn’t human and can make mistakes, including about people, so double-check it.” Such disclaimers highlight an essential question: do children possess the necessary critical thinking skills to verify the AI’s responses? The platform, therefore, needs to ensure that parents are kept in control of their children's use of the AI when it launches. Google’s planned release of