Google announced plans to test AI technology for estimating users’ ages to improve the enforcement of age restrictions on services such as YouTube.

The model will first launch in the US this year, according to Jenn Fitzpatrick, senior vice president of Google’s Core Technology team.

The AI tool will determine if users are over or under 18 enforce relevant restrictions.

This move comes as lawmakers pressure tech companies to enhance child safety online.

Google plans to expand the use of AI-based age verification to other countries in the future.

In September 2024, rival tech firm Meta introduced similar AI-driven age-verification features.

Recent Google developments