{"id":17921,"date":"2026-03-25T07:52:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T14:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/?p=17921"},"modified":"2026-03-25T07:52:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T14:52:18","slug":"dangerous-ai-child-sexual-abuse-reaches-record-high-as-public-backs-clampdown-on-uncensored-tools-internet-watch-foundation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/?p=17921","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;\u2018Dangerous\u2019 AI child sexual abuse reaches record high as public backs clampdown on \u2018uncensored\u2019 tools&#8221;, Internet Watch Foundation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/planetearthfdn.org\/news\">Back to News<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The IWF noted that the material they\u2019ve been able to gather gives only \u201ca partial view\u201d of the overall amount of child sexual material that is floating online and is likely to be \u201csignificantly greater\u201d than what it has found<\/em>&#8211;EURONEWS, March 25, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Published:&nbsp;&nbsp;Tue 24 Mar 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Record levels of \u201cdangerous\u201d AI child sexual abuse imagery are now being discovered online as new polling reveals 82% of UK adults believe the government must now ensure \u201cuncensored\u201d AI systems are made safe by design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iwf.org.uk\/about-us\/why-we-exist\/our-research\/how-ai-is-being-abused-to-create-child-sexual-abuse-imagery\/\">A new report<\/a>, published today (March 24), reveals the full scale of AI-generated child sexual abuse images and videos being discovered online by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It shows how, in 2025, the IWF identified 8,029 AI-generated images and videos of realistic child sexual abuse \u2013 a 14% increase in criminal AI content on the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s published alongside&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/savanta.com\/knowledge-centre\/press-and-polls\/ai-polling-internet-watch-foundation-24-march-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\">new polling<\/a>&nbsp;from Savanta* which shows more than four in five UK adults want the government to introduce regulation to ensure AI systems are safe by design. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwf.org.uk\/media\/tcxg35ly\/aicsam-2026-mock-up.jpg?rmode=max&amp;width=773&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=95&amp;v=1dcb882bfa40910\" alt=\"Image of the new report: New AI CSAM Report: Harm without limits: AI CSAM through the eyes of our Analysts\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">New report looks at the harms of AI-generated child sexual abuse material<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The report, titled&nbsp;<strong><em>Harm without limits: AI child sexual abuse material through the eyes of our Analysts<\/em><\/strong>, also gives \u201cunsettling\u201d insight on the kind of offender conversations IWF analysts are witnessing as criminals vie with each other to create more and more lifelike and extreme child sexual abuse scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chillingly, offenders even discuss setting up and using hidden cameras to source still footage of real children, which they can then transform into AI sexual abuse video content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They also predict how, in a few years\u2019 time, agentic AI tools may be able to create full child sexual abuse \u201cmovies\u201d by feeding a prompt to an uncensored AI agent. \u201cNo skills with editing or tech will be required,\u201d remarked one dark web forum user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In January, the IWF, which is Europe\u2019s largest hotline dedicated to disrupting the spread of child sexual abuse imagery online, published data showing a more than 260-fold increase in videos of AI-generated child sexual abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This new report shows the combined surge in still images and videos, as well as horrifying details of the intentions of those producing them. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The data shows: &nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>In 2025, the IWF identified\u00a0<strong>8,029 AI-generated images and videos of realistic child sexual abuse<\/strong>, a 14% increase in criminal AI content on the previous year.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An additional\u00a0<strong>82 items were classed as prohibited<\/strong>, actioned under UK law even if the material is not photorealistic, such as cartoons, illustrations and animations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Of the 3,443 AI-generated child sexual abuse videos identified, which is a\u00a0<strong>more than 260-fold increase<\/strong>\u00a0on the 13 videos found in 2024,\u00a0<strong>65% were classified as Category A<\/strong>. This is the most severe legal category under UK law which encompasses offences such as rape, sexual torture and bestiality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By comparison,\u00a0<strong>43% of non-AI criminal videos seen by the IWF in 2025 were Category A<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 demonstrating that AI is being used to create more violent content.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwf.org.uk\/media\/hgdmmirh\/analyst-working-monitor-search-proactive-filter.jpg?rmode=max&amp;width=773&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=95&amp;v=1dcb884975a1790\" alt=\"Internet Watch Foundation Senior Analyst Natalia\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Internet Watch Foundation Senior Analyst Natalia**<\/strong>&nbsp;said:<em>&nbsp;\u201cIt is very apparent from the unsettling dark web conversations observed by the IWF Hotline that AI innovations are regarded with delight by users of child sexual abuse material.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cEvery new development in generative AI is extolled for its ability to enhance the realism, to heighten the severity, or make more immersive, any conceivable sexual scenario with a child. This could be through adding audio to video, being able to depict multiple people interacting or even being able to successfully manipulate imagery of a real child known to an offender.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cInstead of being a vehicle for connection, the technology only deepens offenders\u2019 capacity to view children and victims as abstract playthings, whose likenesses can be altered endlessly for their own enjoyment.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cWe know this affects victims and survivors, as its creation and distribution is just as keenly felt as with traditional forms of child sexual abuse.\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>One offender quoted in the report describes how surprised they are at<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>\u201cjust how uncensored\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;the technology is, exclaiming that the ability to edit and finetune is&nbsp;<em>\u201cgoing to be nuts\u201d<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Another praises an AI child sexual abuse video saying it is<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>\u201can absolute masterpiece\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;and how<em>\u201canything you desire is possible in extreme realism.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Analysts have also observed discussions on the ability to generate AI imagery of children known to offenders,&nbsp;<strong>with one individual saying they are<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>\u201cimpressed with the results of [AI] image to video conversions\u201d<\/em>, and how they want to use hidden cameras to obtain footage of real children to convert into AI videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The IWF is calling on the UK government to tighten up laws around AI and make it mandatory for tech companies to evaluate and safeguard AI models before release to make it harder for criminals to abuse AI image generators and create child sexual abuse imagery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is echoed by new polling which shows* more than four in five, or 82%, of UK adults say the government should introduce regulation to ensure AI systems are safe by design and futureproofed from causing harm. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A further 78% of survey respondents agreed that AI companies should be made to test for AI-related harms before products are released to market.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.iwf.org.uk\/media\/0zscemtp\/kerry-smith-eclag.jpg?rmode=max&amp;width=773&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=95&amp;v=1dc3c477e36afd0\" alt=\"Kerry Smith, IWF CEO\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kerry Smith, IWF CEO<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Internet Watch Foundation CEO Kerry Smith<\/strong>&nbsp;said:&nbsp;<em>\u201cAdvances in technology should never come at the expense of a child\u2019s safety and wellbeing. While AI can offer much in a positive sense, it is horrifying to consider that its power can be used to devastate a child\u2019s life. This material is dangerous.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cThe UK government has made great strides in recognising the wide-reaching harms of AI child sexual abuse imagery and we welcome the move to allow designated authorities like the IWF to test AI models.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cBut this report\u2019s in-depth view of the risks posed to children by AI, as well as emerging areas of concern, only serves to highlight the need for companies to adopt a safety-by-design approach that ensures child protection is baked into product development. This non-negotiable standard in AI development must be mandated by a clear government framework.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cChildren, victims and survivors cannot afford for us to be complacent. New technology must be held to the highest standard. In some cases, lives are on the line.\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The report also highlights how offenders are already anticipating the next generation of AI tools and how they might exploit them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IWF analysts have observed offenders discussing the possibilities of \u201cagentic AI\u201d, systems designed to carry out complex tasks autonomously.&nbsp;<strong>One offender wrote:<\/strong>&nbsp;<em>\u201cI believe in a year or two we will be able to create our own movies just by feeding a prompt to an uncensored AI agent. No skills with editing or tech will be required.\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI child sexual abuse content with an audio component is also an emerging area of concern. This may be in the form of recordings \u2013 audio deepfakes \u2013 which synthetically generate the sexualised voices of children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While typically the IWF does not assess audio only reports, one example identified by analysts was of a fully synthetic video showing a child who appeared to be between three and six years old speaking to the camera and performing a sexual act on an adult man. Both the video and audio were generated by AI. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Helen Rance, Deputy Director of CSA threat at the National Crime Agency<\/strong>&nbsp;said:&nbsp;<em>\u201cAI generated child sexual abuse material is illegal. It harms children. And it fuels and escalates offending. Alongside policing colleagues, we are arresting nearly 1,000 offenders and safeguarding over 1,200 children every month in relation to online sexual abuse. Offenders should be under no illusion that they will be caught and the consequences for them and their families will be life changing.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cHowever, policing cannot tackle AI CSAM alone. We need industry around the world to invest its money, expertise and innovation in stopping this harm at source. We need to keep investing in the tools that help policing protect children at scale. And we need to equip children, parents, carers and professionals with the confidence and skills to navigate the challenges that AI brings.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cWe welcome this important report from IWF and will continue to work with them and other partners to disrupt this evolving ecosystem and keep children safe.\u201d<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/artificialintelligenceact.eu\/annex\/2\/?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Back to News The IWF noted that the material they\u2019ve been able to gather gives only \u201ca partial view\u201d of the overall amount of child sexual material that is floating online and is likely to be \u201csignificantly greater\u201d than what it has found&#8211;EURONEWS, March 25, 2026 Published:&nbsp;&nbsp;Tue 24 Mar 2026 Record levels of \u201cdangerous\u201d AI [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1001004,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17921"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1001004"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17921"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17921\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17922,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17921\/revisions\/17922"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldcampaign.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}