Child safety group blasts Google over AI investment in kids' content

Google announced on March 4 that it is investing $1 million in the AI-powered children’s entertainment company Animaj, the first kids media business backed by its AI Future Funds accelerator. Under the deal, Animaj will get exclusive access to generative AI tools like Veo and Imagine.

The company and the fund present the move as an effort to meet demand for children's content with AI-driven creativity. Critics say the platform still has an AI problem. Digitally faked content and AI-generated "slop" continue to seep through, and YouTube remains a fertile ground for content aimed at the youngest viewers.

A New York Times analysis found thousands of examples of AI-targeted videos, including ones that violated YouTube's child safety policies, and YouTube does not require AI labelling on animated videos.

google, animaj, veo, imagine, generative ai, children's content, youtube, child safety, ai labelling, ai accelerator