ESU contributes to Microsoft’s White Paper on Protecting the Public from Abusive AI-generated Content

On 20 March, former ESU President An Hermans participated in the launch of Microsoft’s White Paper, ‘Protecting the Public from Abusive AI-generated Content across the EU’, at the European Parliament in Brussels. The report, prepared by a multidisciplinary Microsoft team, included input from organisations working on online safety, including ESU.

Addressing AI-related Risks
Generative AI can be misused, making it essential to protect vulnerable groups. Microsoft outlined key steps for European policymakers, focusing on:
– Protecting children from online exploitation;
– Safeguarding women from non-consensual intimate imagery;
– Protecting older adults from AI-enabled fraud.

ESU’s Contribution
During the consultation, ESU Secretary General Patrick Penninckx stressed the importance of Media and Information Literacy  for all citizens, especially older adults. At the Round Table, An Hermans called for more visibility of seniors—especially those over 75—in surveys and advocated for stronger measures against online fraud. ESU urges continued efforts, building on its 2022 publication The Digital Era? Also My Era!”, created in cooperation with the Council of Europe.

The Joint Letter, ‘Letter to the European Commission and European Parliament on Protecting the Public from Abusive AI-Generated Content across the EU’, which outlines key findings and recommendations, can be found here.