2026-09-24 · Source: Insurance Journal
Summary in 3 Points • Tom Siegel warns that AI could harm children more than social media, urging a slowdown in its development. • Siegel has joined Common Sense Media to establish standards for AI accountability, focusing on children's safety. • Major AI firms are rolling out features for children without adequate safety measures, risking lawsuits and regulation. --- Tom Siegel, the former vice president of trust and safety at Google, has raised alarms about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI) for children, suggesting that it could be more harmful than social media. He calls for a slowdown in AI development, citing the industry's failure to learn from past mistakes. Siegel has recently joined Common Sense Media, a non-profit focused on children's online safety, where he aims to create standards for AI accountability and safety. He highlighted the urgent need for AI companies to implement better age verification and safety measures to protect young users. As AI technology rapidly evolves, Siegel's concerns reflect a growing unease among tech insiders regarding the lack of regulation and oversight. Major companies like Google and OpenAI are deploying AI features for children without sufficient guardrails, which could lead to severe consequences. Siegel's initiative at Common Sense Media will focus on developing independent standards akin to car crash testing to evaluate the risks associated with AI tools available to children, stressing the importance of collaboration with AI firms to ensure safety. For the London Insurance Market, the rise of AI in children's products presents challenges for liability insurance, with firms needing to assess risks associated with AI-driven technologies. The Lloyd's market may need to adapt its underwriting practices to address these emerging concerns.
For the London Insurance Market, the rise of AI in children's products presents challenges for liability insurance, with firms needing to assess risks associated with AI-driven technologies. The Lloyd's market may need to adapt its underwriting practices to address these emerging concerns.