The UK government has announced a sweeping crackdown on AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM), introducing four new laws aimed at curbing its creation, distribution, and possession. The move positions the UK as the first country in the world to criminalize AI tools designed to generate such content, with offenders facing up to five years in prison.

Under the proposed laws, owning or sharing AI-generated paedophile manuals, which provide instructions on using artificial intelligence to produce abusive material, will also be outlawed. Those caught in possession could face up to three years in prison.

Tackling the “Industrial Scale” of AI Child Abuse

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper warned that AI is accelerating online child abuse at an unprecedented rate. Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, she said:

“AI is industrialising the scale of abuse. Perpetrators are using AI to groom and blackmail children, manipulate images, and lure young people into further exploitation. This is horrific, and our response cannot stand still.”

Beyond AI-generated content, the legislation also targets those facilitating child exploitation. Hosting websites that distribute CSAM or offer grooming advice will become a criminal offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

In a further measure, Border Force officials will gain new powers to inspect digital devices of individuals suspected of posing a sexual threat to children when entering the UK. Depending on the severity of the material found, offenders could face up to three years in prison.

The Growing Threat of AI-Generated CSAM

Artificially created abuse images, which can be either entirely computer-generated or manipulated from real photographs, are becoming more sophisticated. AI software can now "nudify" images, swap children's faces into explicit content, and even mimic real voices—re-victimizing survivors and fueling further abuse.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) reports that 800 people are arrested each month for online child abuse offenses, while an estimated 840,000 UK adults—1.6% of the adult population—pose a threat to children, both online and offline.

A Systemic Problem, A Legal Gap

Despite the government’s intervention, some experts argue the measures do not go far enough.

Legal scholar Prof. Clare McGlynn, an expert on pornography regulation and online abuse, welcomed the crackdown but highlighted “significant gaps” in the UK’s legal framework. She urged the government to ban AI-powered “nudify” apps and to tackle the normalization of child-like sexual content on mainstream porn sites.

“These so-called ‘simulated child abuse videos’ may feature adult actors, but they depict them as minors—dressed in school uniforms, filmed in children’s bedrooms, surrounded by toys. These materials remain legal in the UK, unlike in many other countries, and they reinforce harmful behaviors.”

AI-Fueled Abuse on the Rise

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which monitors child abuse content, has reported a staggering 380% rise in AI-generated CSAM in the past year alone.

• In 2024, the IWF confirmed 245 cases of AI-generated abuse images, up from just 51 in 2023.
• On a single dark web platform, 3,512 AI-generated CSAM images were found in a single month.
• The number of Category A images—the most severe form of abuse—rose by 10% year-on-year.

Derek Ray-Hill, interim chief executive of the IWF, called the government’s move a “vital starting point” but stressed that more must be done to prevent AI from being exploited by abusers.

“The rise of AI-generated child abuse material emboldens offenders and makes real children less safe. Tech companies must act urgently to safeguard their platforms, and regulators must enforce stringent oversight.”

Lynn Perry, chief executive of children’s charity Barnardo’s, echoed this sentiment, calling for stronger industry regulations:

“Legislation must keep pace with technology. Tech firms must implement robust safeguards, and Ofcom must enforce the Online Safety Act effectively.”

Legislation on the Way

The new laws will be introduced as part of the Crime and Policing Bill, set to be presented in Parliament in the coming weeks. If passed, the UK will set a global precedent in tackling AI-driven child abuse—a challenge that governments worldwide are struggling to confront.