In a landmark move to combat the growing misuse of artificial intelligence, the UK has become the first nation to introduce specific criminal penalties for AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The legislation, part of the Crime and Policing Bill introduced to Parliament on February 25, 2025, addresses the alarming rise in AI-generated abuse content. According to the Internet Watch Foundation, reports of AI-generated CSAM increased nearly five-fold in 2024, with over 3,500 new AI-generated child sexual abuse images appearing on the dark web by mid-2024.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who spearheaded the initiative, emphasized the urgency of the new measures: "Online child sexual abuse material is growing, but also the grooming of children and teenagers online. And what's now happening is that AI is putting this on steroids."
The legislation specifically criminalizes three key areas: possessing, creating, or distributing AI models designed to generate child sexual abuse material; possessing AI 'paedophile manuals' that teach people how to use AI to sexually abuse children; and running websites designed for sharing such content, which could result in up to 10 years imprisonment.
The new laws address a concerning trend where perpetrators use AI to 'nudeify' real-life images of children or stitch children's faces onto existing abuse images. These AI-generated images are sometimes used to blackmail victims into further exploitation, including livestreaming with perpetrators.
While existing UK laws already prohibit aspects of child sexual abuse imagery, including the Protection of Children Act 1978 and the Coroners and Justice Act 2009, the new legislation closes critical loopholes specifically related to AI technology. The government has emphasized that the law targets criminal misuse rather than legitimate AI development, with safeguards to protect innovation while preventing harm.
Child protection advocates have welcomed the move, with the NSPCC's Policy Manager for Child Safety Online, Rani Govender, stating: "It is encouraging to see the government take action aimed at tackling criminals who create AI-generated child sexual abuse images." However, experts note that effective implementation will require international cooperation, as AI-generated abuse transcends national borders.