  This report explores the potential implications of rapidly integrating
Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications into children's environments. The
introduction of AI in our daily lives necessitates scrutiny considering the
significant role of the environment in shaping cognition, socio-emotional
skills, and behaviors, especially during the first 25 years of cerebral
development. As AI becomes prevalent in educational and leisure activities, it
will significantly modify the experiences of children and adolescents,
presenting both challenges and opportunities for their developmental
trajectories. This analysis was informed by consulting with 15 experts from
pertinent disciplines (AI, product development, child development, and
neurosciences), along with a comprehensive review of scientific literature on
children development and child-technology interactions. Overall, AI experts
anticipate that AI will transform leisure activities, revolutionize education,
and redefine human-machine interactions. While AI offers substantial benefits
in fostering interactive engagement, it also poses risks that require careful
considerations, especially during sensitive developmental periods. The report
advocates for proactive international collaboration across multiple disciplines
and increased research into how technological innovations affect child
development. Such efforts are crucial for designing a sustainable and ethical
future for the next generation through specific child-centered regulations, and
helping to educate all potential stakeholders (regulators, developers, parents
and educators, children) about responsible AI use and its potential impacts on
child development.
