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Technology companies and child protection organizations will receive authority to assess whether artificial intelligence systems can generate child abuse material under new British legislation.

Substantial Increase in AI-Generated Harmful Material

The declaration came as findings from a safety watchdog showing that cases of AI-generated CSAM have increased dramatically in the last twelve months, growing from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025.

Updated Regulatory Framework

Under the changes, the government will permit designated AI developers and child safety organizations to examine AI models – the foundational technology for conversational AI and visual AI tools – and ensure they have adequate protective measures to stop them from producing images of child sexual abuse.

"Ultimately about preventing exploitation before it happens," stated Kanishka Narayan, noting: "Specialists, under rigorous conditions, can now detect the danger in AI models promptly."

Addressing Regulatory Obstacles

The amendments have been introduced because it is illegal to produce and own CSAM, meaning that AI developers and others cannot generate such images as part of a evaluation process. Previously, officials had to delay action until AI-generated CSAM was published online before dealing with it.

This legislation is designed to preventing that issue by enabling to stop the production of those images at their origin.

Legislative Framework

The changes are being introduced by the authorities as modifications to the crime and policing bill, which is also establishing a prohibition on possessing, producing or sharing AI models designed to generate child sexual abuse material.

Real-World Impact

This recently, the minister toured the London base of Childline and listened to a simulated call to advisors featuring a report of AI-based exploitation. The call portrayed a adolescent seeking help after being blackmailed using a sexualised AI-generated image of themselves, created using AI.

"When I learn about children facing extortion online, it is a source of extreme anger in me and justified concern amongst parents," he said.

Alarming Statistics

A leading internet monitoring organization reported that cases of AI-generated exploitation material – such as webpages that may contain numerous images – had significantly increased so far this year.

Cases of the most severe material – the gravest form of abuse – rose from 2,621 images or videos to 3,086.

• Girls were predominantly targeted, making up 94% of prohibited AI depictions in 2025
• Depictions of infants to toddlers rose from five in 2024 to 92 in 2025

Industry Reaction

The law change could "constitute a vital step to guarantee AI tools are secure before they are released," commented the chief executive of the internet monitoring organization.

"AI tools have enabled so victims can be targeted all over again with just a simple actions, giving offenders the ability to make potentially endless quantities of advanced, photorealistic child sexual abuse material," she continued. "Content which further commodifies victims' suffering, and renders young people, especially female children, less safe both online and offline."

Counseling Session Data

Childline also published details of counselling interactions where AI has been mentioned. AI-related risks mentioned in the conversations include:

• Employing AI to evaluate body size, physique and appearance
• Chatbots dissuading children from talking to safe guardians about harm
• Facing harassment online with AI-generated content
• Online blackmail using AI-faked images

Between April and September this year, the helpline delivered 367 support sessions where AI, chatbots and associated topics were mentioned, significantly more as many as in the equivalent timeframe last year.

Fifty percent of the references of AI in the 2025 interactions were connected with mental health and wellness, encompassing using chatbots for assistance and AI therapeutic applications.