🔗 Share this article

Tech firms and child protection organizations will be granted permission to assess whether artificial intelligence systems can produce child abuse images under recently introduced UK laws.

Significant Increase in AI-Generated Harmful Material

The announcement coincided with revelations from a protection watchdog showing that cases of AI-generated CSAM have more than doubled in the last twelve months, rising from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025.

New Regulatory Framework

Under the amendments, the government will allow designated AI companies and child safety groups to inspect AI systems – the foundational systems for conversational AI and image generators – and ensure they have adequate safeguards to stop them from producing images of child sexual abuse.

"Fundamentally about stopping exploitation before it occurs," declared the minister for AI and online safety, noting: "Specialists, under strict conditions, can now identify the danger in AI systems promptly."

Addressing Regulatory Challenges

The changes have been introduced because it is illegal to produce and possess CSAM, meaning that AI developers and others cannot create such content as part of a testing process. Previously, authorities had to delay action until AI-generated CSAM was published online before addressing it.

This law is aimed at averting that issue by helping to stop the production of those images at their origin.

Legislative Structure

The changes are being introduced by the government as modifications to the crime and policing bill, which is also implementing a prohibition on owning, creating or distributing AI systems developed to generate child sexual abuse material.

Real-World Consequences

This recently, the minister visited the London headquarters of Childline and heard a mock-up conversation to advisors involving a account of AI-based exploitation. The call depicted a teenager requesting help after facing extortion using a explicit AI-generated image of themselves, created using AI.

"When I learn about children facing blackmail online, it is a source of extreme anger in me and rightful concern amongst families," he stated.

Alarming Statistics

A prominent online safety organization reported that instances of AI-generated exploitation material – such as webpages that may include multiple files – had significantly increased so far this year.

Instances of category A material – the most serious form of exploitation – increased from 2,621 images or videos to 3,086.

• Girls were predominantly targeted, making up 94% of illegal AI images in 2025
• Depictions of infants to two-year-olds rose from five in 2024 to 92 in 2025

Sector Reaction

The law change could "constitute a crucial step to guarantee AI tools are safe before they are released," stated the head of the internet monitoring foundation.

"Artificial intelligence systems have made it so survivors can be targeted repeatedly with just a few clicks, providing offenders the capability to make potentially endless quantities of advanced, lifelike child sexual abuse material," she continued. "Content which further commodifies victims' trauma, and renders children, particularly girls, more vulnerable on and off line."

Support Session Data

The children's helpline also published information of support sessions where AI has been referenced. AI-related risks mentioned in the conversations include:

• Using AI to rate body size, physique and appearance
• AI assistants discouraging children from talking to safe adults about harm
• Facing harassment online with AI-generated content
• Online extortion using AI-faked images

During April and September this year, Childline delivered 367 support sessions where AI, conversational AI and associated topics were discussed, four times as many as in the same period last year.

Fifty percent of the mentions of AI in the 2025 sessions were connected with psychological wellbeing and wellness, encompassing using AI assistants for assistance and AI therapy apps.