France’s Macron proposes ban on superintelligence uses that risk children

French President Emmanuel Macron has proposed banning uses of superintelligence (SI) if they put children at risk, including threats to their mental health or brains. In an interview with Les Echos, he also said a proposed charter would commit companies to audits and certification before models are put in children’s hands.

The restriction is conditional on a risk being identified; Macron did not announce an adopted ban. He said scientific specialists should study the effects on children and determine which interactions with SI are dangerous for minors.

A proposed review before use

Macron said the charter was being developed with governments and companies and was scheduled for presentation at the Paris Peace Forum on 10–11 November 2026. His office said OpenAI and Anthropic would be included and that the charter was intended to inform national and European legislative debates.

Euronews said research laboratories were expected to commit to independent evaluations of generative SI systems placed on the market and access to their models’ data. Generative SI refers to systems that produce content such as text or images.

The reports do not provide the charter text or establish its covered ages and products, risk thresholds, certification authorities, enforcement or implementation dates.

Expert advice and wider regulation

An expert committee was due to present Macron with recommendations on protection against SI on 10 November. Macron said he would pursue European regulation and press the United States, Canada and others to follow the approach; he did not describe an agreement binding those countries.