During a collaborative event with human rights groups, Telenor CEO Sigve Brekke delved into the complex landscape of digital challenges. Brekke's remarks underscored the ongoing efforts required to navigate and mitigate the multifaceted dangers present in the digital age.
(Photo : LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP via Getty Images)
A photo taken on February 24, 2022 shows the logo of Norwegian telecoms operator Telenor in the Majorstuen district of Oslo.
Urging Action for Child Safety, AI Regulation
Telenor CEO Sigve Brekke highlighted the pressing need to enhance protections for children amidst growing online risks and emphasized the importance of implementing robust regulations to address the potential harms of artificial intelligence technologies.
At a keynote panel during the second day of MWC Barcelona 2024, Mobile World Live reported that Brekke emphasized the mobile operators and the wider telecoms industry's aim to empower societies and play an active role in societal development through diverse initiatives.
The Telenor executive underscored the company's efforts to safeguard child rights in the digital realm, citing initiatives such as its filtering system to combat the spread of illegal content and educational programs aimed at addressing online misinformation and cyber risks.
Additionally, Telenor has partnered with UNICEF and Pakistani authorities to facilitate access to education for local communities.
Seeking Partnerships with NGOs
Joining Brekke were Katarina Mellstrom from Global Child Forum, Lara Perdomo from UNICEF Spain, and Tayma Abdalhadi at ITU's Generation Connect event.
In her remarks, Mellstrom shed light on the proactive stance taken by telecom operators such as Telenor, Telia, Verizon, and Vodafone in seeking partnerships with non-governmental organizations.
These collaborations aim to spearhead and oversee a diverse range of projects aimed at addressing societal challenges and fostering positive impacts.
Through these initiatives, telecom companies are actively engaging in social responsibility efforts, leveraging their resources and expertise to drive meaningful change in various communities and sectors.
Mellstrom emphasized the concerning reality that despite children constituting one-third of global internet users, a staggering 360 million people still lack internet access, potentially leading to social segregation.
She stressed the importance of ensuring that young individuals develop critical thinking skills to discern between real and fake content, especially with the rise of AI and phenomena like Deepfake.
Mellstrom underscored the necessity of comprehensive education initiatives to equip young internet users with the ability to navigate and evaluate online information effectively.
Similarly, OpenAI and Common Sense Media have joined forces to develop innovative AI guidelines aimed at promoting responsible usage, particularly among children.
This collaboration signifies a concerted effort by the prominent AI company to introduce comprehensive guidelines and educational resources tailored for parents, educators, and teenagers, aimed at enhancing the responsible utilization of its products.
Additionally, OpenAI announced the introduction of "family-friendly" GPTs accessible through its GPT Store, designed in accordance with the ratings and standards established by Common Sense Media.
