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Tech firms and child protection agencies will be granted authority to assess whether artificial intelligence tools can generate child exploitation images under new UK laws.

Substantial Rise in AI-Generated Harmful Content

The declaration came as revelations from a protection watchdog showing that cases of AI-generated child sexual abuse material have increased dramatically in the past year, growing from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025.

Updated Legal Structure

Under the changes, the government will permit designated AI developers and child safety groups to inspect AI models – the underlying systems for chatbots and visual AI tools – and ensure they have adequate safeguards to prevent them from producing images of child sexual abuse.

"Ultimately about stopping abuse before it happens," stated the minister for AI and online safety, noting: "Specialists, under strict conditions, can now detect the danger in AI systems promptly."

Tackling Regulatory Obstacles

The amendments have been implemented because it is against the law to produce and possess CSAM, meaning that AI developers and others cannot generate such images as part of a evaluation regime. Previously, officials had to wait until AI-generated CSAM was uploaded online before dealing with it.

This law is designed to preventing that issue by enabling to stop the creation of those images at source.

Legislative Framework

The amendments are being added by the government as revisions to the criminal justice legislation, which is also implementing a prohibition on possessing, producing or sharing AI systems designed to create child sexual abuse material.

Real-World Impact

This recently, the official toured the London headquarters of Childline and listened to a simulated call to advisors featuring a report of AI-based exploitation. The interaction portrayed a adolescent seeking help after facing extortion using a sexualised AI-generated image of himself, created using AI.

"When I hear about children experiencing extortion online, it is a source of intense frustration in me and rightful anger amongst parents," he said.

Concerning Data

A prominent online safety organization reported that cases of AI-generated exploitation content – such as online pages that may include numerous images – had more than doubled so far this year.

Instances of the most severe content – the most serious form of exploitation – increased from 2,621 visual files to 3,086.

• Girls were overwhelmingly victimized, making up 94% of prohibited AI depictions in 2025
• Portrayals 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 products are safe before they are released," stated the head of the internet monitoring organization.

"Artificial intelligence systems have enabled so survivors can be victimised repeatedly with just a few clicks, giving criminals the ability to make possibly endless amounts of advanced, lifelike exploitative content," she added. "Material which further commodifies victims' trauma, and makes children, especially girls, less safe on and off line."

Counseling Interaction Information

The children's helpline also released details of support interactions where AI has been referenced. AI-related harms discussed in the conversations comprise:

• Employing AI to rate body size, physique and looks
• Chatbots dissuading young people from talking to trusted guardians about harm
• Facing harassment online with AI-generated content
• Online blackmail using AI-faked images

During April and September this year, Childline delivered 367 counselling interactions 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 sessions were connected with psychological wellbeing and wellbeing, including using chatbots for assistance and AI therapy apps.