A former Google trust and safety executive has called for stronger safeguards around artificial intelligence, warning that rapidly developing AI tools could expose children to serious risks.
Former safety chief calls for slower AI development
Tom Siegel, who founded Google’s trust and safety team, told Reuters that the technology industry risks repeating mistakes made during the social media era. He argued that AI companies should not be expected to address child-safety concerns without stronger external oversight.
Siegel has now joined Common Sense Media as the first executive director of its Youth AI Safety Institute, which was launched to examine how AI affects young users and develop safety standards for technology companies.
He pointed to several potential risks, including harmful interactions, psychosis, suicide and what researchers call “cognitive offloading” — relying on AI for tasks that would otherwise require independent thinking.
Calls for stronger safeguards
Siegel said AI companies could introduce measures such as stronger age-verification systems to prevent children from accessing services intended for older users. He also suggested that Google could provide parents with greater control over AI features in its search products.
His comments come as increasingly capable chatbots are being used by millions of young people, while governments and researchers continue to examine how existing safeguards should evolve.
Google said parents can prevent children from accessing its search engine and defended its AI search features as useful tools for young people. OpenAI said it uses account and behavioural signals alongside self-reported age to identify underage users and continues to improve its safeguards. Anthropic did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Siegel said the new institute would explore independent safety standards for AI systems, comparing the idea to testing used to assess vehicle safety.