UK introduces law to criminalise AI-generated child abuse images

Britain will become the first country to make it illegal to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create child sexual abuse material, the government announced on Saturday, in response to growing concerns over the misuse of technology by online offenders.

The new laws, part of the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill, will make it an offence to possess, create, or distribute AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse images. The legislation also targets those who share manuals instructing others on how to use AI for child exploitation.

Those found guilty of creating or distributing such material will face up to five years in prison, while possession of instructional manuals on AI-assisted abuse could lead to a three-year sentence.

The crackdown comes amid warnings from law enforcement and online safety groups about the rapid rise in AI-generated child abuse images. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) recorded 245 confirmed reports of such content in 2024, a sharp rise from 51 cases in 2023. In just 30 days last year, the IWF found 3,512 AI-generated images on a single dark web site, with an increasing number falling under "Category A" – the most severe form of abuse material.

Officials say offenders have used AI to “nudify” real images of children or superimpose children’s faces onto existing abuse material, creating convincing fake content that is then used for blackmail and coercion. Some cases involve AI-generated voices of real children, further increasing the risks of exploitation.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the legislation was crucial in preventing AI-driven crimes before they escalated into real-world abuse.

“We know that predators operating online often escalate to committing horrific crimes in person,” Cooper said. “It is vital that we tackle child sexual abuse both online and offline to better protect the public from emerging threats.”

Experts warn that AI-generated abuse material could normalise child exploitation, making it easier for offenders to justify their behaviour and evade detection.

As part of the tougher approach, the Border Force will gain new powers to compel suspected offenders to unlock their digital devices for inspection. Additionally, those who run or moderate websites that facilitate the sharing of AI-generated child abuse content will face criminal charges.

The UK government is also working to make AI-generated deepfake pornography a criminal offence, targeting individuals who create and share explicit material without consent.

While campaigners and child protection groups have welcomed the new laws, they stress the importance of strong enforcement mechanisms.

Derek Ray-Hill, interim CEO of the Internet Watch Foundation, said the move was a “vital starting point” but urged continued vigilance to prevent AI technology from being exploited.

Rani Govender, policy manager for child safety online at the NSPCC, called for tougher oversight of AI companies. “Wherever possible, these abhorrent harms must be prevented from happening in the first place,” she said.

The Crime and Policing Bill, which includes these measures, is expected to be introduced in Parliament later this year.