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Tech firms and child protection agencies will receive authority to evaluate whether artificial intelligence systems can generate child exploitation material under new British laws.

Substantial Increase in AI-Generated Illegal Material

The declaration coincided with revelations from a safety watchdog showing that cases of AI-generated CSAM have increased dramatically in the past year, growing from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025.

Updated Legal Framework

Under the amendments, the authorities will allow designated AI developers and child protection organizations to examine AI systems – the foundational technology for chatbots and image generators – and ensure they have sufficient safeguards to stop them from creating images of child exploitation.

"Ultimately about stopping exploitation before it happens," stated the minister for AI and online safety, adding: "Experts, under rigorous protocols, can now detect the danger in AI systems early."

Addressing Regulatory Challenges

The amendments have been introduced because it is against the law to produce and own CSAM, meaning that AI developers and other parties cannot generate such content as part of a evaluation process. Previously, officials had to delay action until AI-generated CSAM was uploaded online before addressing it.

This legislation is aimed at averting that issue by helping to stop the production of those materials at their origin.

Legislative Structure

The amendments are being introduced by the government as revisions to the crime and policing bill, which is also establishing a prohibition on possessing, producing or distributing AI models developed to generate child sexual abuse material.

Practical Impact

This week, the official visited the London base of a children's helpline and heard a mock-up call to counsellors involving a account of AI-based abuse. The call portrayed a teenager requesting help after facing extortion using a explicit AI-generated image of himself, created using AI.

"When I learn about young people experiencing blackmail online, it is a cause of intense anger in me and rightful anger amongst parents," he stated.

Alarming Statistics

A prominent internet monitoring foundation stated that instances of AI-generated exploitation content – such as webpages that may include multiple images – had significantly increased so far this year.

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

• Female children were overwhelmingly targeted, making up 94% of prohibited AI images in 2025
• Depictions of infants to toddlers rose from five in 2024 to 92 in 2025

Sector Reaction

The legislative amendment could "constitute a crucial step to guarantee AI products are safe before they are released," stated the head of the internet monitoring organization.

"AI tools have made it so survivors can be targeted all over again with just a few clicks, providing offenders the capability to make possibly limitless amounts of sophisticated, lifelike child sexual abuse material," she continued. "Material which further commodifies survivors' suffering, and makes children, especially girls, more vulnerable both online and offline."

Counseling Interaction Data

Childline also released information of support sessions where AI has been mentioned. AI-related risks mentioned in the conversations comprise:

• Using AI to rate weight, physique and appearance
• Chatbots dissuading young people from consulting trusted adults about harm
• Facing harassment online with AI-generated material
• Digital blackmail using AI-manipulated images

During April and September this year, Childline conducted 367 support interactions where AI, chatbots and associated terms were discussed, four times as many as in the equivalent timeframe last year.

Fifty percent of the mentions of AI in the 2025 interactions were connected with psychological wellbeing and wellbeing, including utilizing chatbots for assistance and AI therapy apps.