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 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called for holding artificial intelligence (AI) companies accountable for the impact their technologies have on minors, asserting that child protection must be a top priority in managing the rapid evolution of AI.

Speaking at a high-level meeting in New York on Tuesday, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Sánchez stressed that AI must serve as a tool for human progress, emphasizing that 'AI should work for humanity, not the other way around.'

The Spanish Premier highlighted the urgency of holding tech firms responsible for the consequences of their AI products and services, particularly regarding children and adolescents, who are disproportionately vulnerable to the risks of early exposure to these technologies.

**Enhancing Child Protection**
The summit addressed strategies to bolster child protection in the AI era amid the increasing proliferation of smart tools across education, communication, and entertainment. Discussions focused on the accompanying challenges related to privacy, safety, content exposure, and the broader psychological impacts on minors.

Sánchez’s appeal aligns with a growing international movement to establish clear, robust regulations safeguarding children from AI-related risks. There are increasing calls globally to preemptively implement regulatory frameworks rather than waiting for widespread negative consequences to materialize.

Ultimately, the meeting reflects the escalating global focus on corporate accountability in the AI sector and the critical role of governments and international institutions in striking a delicate balance between harnessing technological innovation and safeguarding the rights of minors.