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Technology companies and child protection agencies will be granted permission to assess whether artificial intelligence systems can generate child exploitation images under recently introduced UK laws.

Substantial Increase in AI-Generated Harmful Content

The declaration coincided with 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 Regulatory Framework

Under the changes, the government will permit approved AI companies and child safety organizations to inspect AI systems – the foundational systems for conversational AI and image generators – and ensure they have sufficient protective measures to stop them from producing depictions of child exploitation.

"Ultimately about preventing abuse before it happens," stated the minister for AI and online safety, noting: "Specialists, under rigorous conditions, can now identify the danger in AI systems early."

Addressing Regulatory Obstacles

The changes have been introduced because it is against the law to create and possess CSAM, meaning that AI developers and others cannot create such images as part of a evaluation process. Previously, authorities had to delay action until AI-generated CSAM was published online before addressing it.

This law is aimed at averting that problem by enabling to stop the creation of those materials at their origin.

Legislative Structure

The changes are being added by the government as modifications to the crime and policing bill, which is also implementing a prohibition on owning, producing or distributing AI models developed to create child sexual abuse material.

Practical Impact

This recently, the minister visited the London headquarters of a children's helpline and heard a simulated conversation to counsellors featuring a report of AI-based exploitation. The interaction depicted a teenager requesting help after facing extortion using a sexualised AI-generated image of themselves, created using AI.

"When I learn about young people facing blackmail online, it is a source of intense anger in me and justified anger amongst parents," he said.

Concerning Statistics

A leading internet monitoring organization stated that cases of AI-generated abuse material – such as webpages that may include numerous files – had significantly increased so far this year.

Instances of category A material – the most serious form of abuse – rose from 2,621 visual files to 3,086.

• Girls were predominantly victimized, making up 94% of illegal AI depictions in 2025
• Portrayals of newborns to toddlers increased from five in 2024 to 92 in 2025

Sector Response

The legislative amendment could "constitute a crucial step to ensure AI products are secure before they are launched," stated the chief executive of the internet monitoring foundation.

"Artificial intelligence systems have made it so victims can be victimised all over again with just a simple actions, giving criminals the ability to make potentially limitless quantities of advanced, lifelike child sexual abuse material," she continued. "Content which additionally commodifies victims' trauma, and renders children, particularly girls, more vulnerable both online and offline."

Counseling Session Data

Childline also released information of counselling sessions where AI has been mentioned. AI-related harms mentioned in the sessions include:

• Using AI to evaluate body size, physique and looks
• AI assistants dissuading children from consulting trusted adults about abuse
• Facing harassment online with AI-generated material
• Digital extortion using AI-manipulated pictures

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

Half of the mentions of AI in the 2025 sessions were related to psychological wellbeing and wellbeing, including using chatbots for assistance and AI therapy apps.