🔗 Share this article British Technology Companies and Child Protection Officials to Test AI's Ability to Create Exploitation Images Tech firms and child safety agencies will be granted permission to assess whether artificial intelligence systems can generate child exploitation material under recently introduced British laws. Substantial Rise in AI-Generated Harmful Content The declaration coincided with findings from a protection monitoring body showing that reports of AI-generated CSAM have more than doubled in the last twelve months, rising from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025. New Legal Framework Under the amendments, the government will allow approved AI companies and child protection groups to inspect AI models – the underlying technology for chatbots and visual AI tools – and verify they have sufficient protective measures to stop them from producing depictions of child exploitation. "Fundamentally about stopping abuse before it happens," declared the minister for AI and online safety, noting: "Specialists, under strict conditions, can now identify the risk in AI models early." Addressing Legal Challenges The changes have been introduced because it is illegal to create and own CSAM, meaning that AI developers and other parties cannot create such content as part of a testing regime. Previously, authorities had to wait until AI-generated CSAM was uploaded online before addressing it. This law is aimed at preventing that problem by helping to halt the production of those images at their origin. Legislative Structure The changes are being added by the authorities as revisions to the criminal justice legislation, which is also establishing a ban on possessing, producing or sharing AI models designed to create child sexual abuse material. Real-World Consequences This week, the minister visited the London base of a children's helpline and heard a simulated conversation to counsellors involving a account of AI-based abuse. The interaction portrayed a adolescent requesting help after facing extortion using a sexualised deepfake of himself, created using AI. "When I learn about children facing blackmail online, it is a source of extreme anger in me and rightful anger amongst parents," he said. Concerning Statistics A prominent internet monitoring foundation reported that cases of AI-generated exploitation content – such as online pages that may include multiple files – had more than doubled so far this year. Cases of the most severe material – the most serious form of exploitation – rose from 2,621 visual files to 3,086. Girls were predominantly targeted, making up 94% of prohibited AI images in 2025 Portrayals of infants to toddlers increased from five in 2024 to 92 in 2025 Sector Reaction The law change could "constitute a crucial step to ensure AI tools are safe before they are launched," stated the head of the online safety organization. "AI tools have enabled so survivors can be victimised all over again with just a few clicks, giving offenders the capability to create potentially limitless quantities of sophisticated, lifelike child sexual abuse material," she added. "Material which further commodifies victims' trauma, and makes young people, particularly girls, more vulnerable on and off line." Support Session Data Childline also published information of counselling interactions where AI has been referenced. AI-related harms mentioned in the conversations include: Employing AI to evaluate weight, physique and looks AI assistants 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, Childline conducted 367 counselling interactions where AI, conversational AI and related terms were discussed, significantly more as many as in the same period last year. Fifty percent of the references of AI in the 2025 interactions were connected with psychological wellbeing and wellbeing, encompassing using chatbots for support and AI therapy applications.