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Technology companies and child protection organizations will receive authority to evaluate whether artificial intelligence systems can produce child abuse material under new British legislation.

Substantial Rise in AI-Generated Harmful Content

The declaration coincided with findings from a protection watchdog showing that cases of AI-generated CSAM have more than doubled in the last twelve months, growing from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025.

Updated Legal Structure

Under the changes, the government will allow approved AI developers and child protection organizations to inspect AI systems – the foundational systems for chatbots and visual AI tools – and ensure they have sufficient safeguards to prevent them from creating depictions of child exploitation.

"Fundamentally about stopping abuse before it occurs," stated the minister for AI and online safety, noting: "Specialists, under rigorous protocols, can now identify the danger in AI models early."

Tackling Regulatory Obstacles

The amendments have been introduced because it is illegal to produce and possess CSAM, meaning that AI developers and other parties cannot create such content as part of a evaluation process. Previously, officials had to wait until AI-generated CSAM was uploaded online before addressing it.

This law is aimed at preventing that issue by enabling to stop the production of those images at their origin.

Legislative Structure

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

Real-World Impact

This week, the minister toured the London headquarters of Childline and heard a simulated call to advisors featuring a report of AI-based exploitation. The interaction portrayed a adolescent seeking help after being blackmailed using a explicit deepfake of themselves, constructed using AI.

"When I hear about young people facing extortion online, it is a cause of extreme frustration in me and rightful concern amongst parents," he said.

Concerning Data

A leading online safety foundation reported that instances of AI-generated exploitation material – such as webpages that may include numerous files – had more than doubled so far this year.

Cases of category A content – the gravest form of abuse – increased from 2,621 visual files to 3,086.

• Girls were predominantly targeted, making up 94% of prohibited AI images in 2025
• Portrayals of newborns to toddlers increased from five in 2024 to 92 in 2025

Sector Reaction

The legislative amendment could "constitute a vital step to ensure AI tools are safe before they are launched," commented the chief executive of the online safety organization.

"AI tools have made it so survivors can be targeted all over again with just a simple actions, providing criminals the ability to make possibly endless quantities of sophisticated, photorealistic exploitative content," she added. "Material which further commodifies victims' suffering, and renders children, especially girls, less safe on and off line."

Counseling Interaction Data

Childline also released details of support interactions where AI has been referenced. AI-related harms mentioned in the sessions comprise:

• Using AI to rate weight, body and appearance
• AI assistants dissuading children from consulting safe guardians about abuse
• Facing harassment online with AI-generated content
• Digital extortion using AI-faked pictures

During April and September this year, Childline conducted 367 counselling sessions where AI, conversational AI and related topics were discussed, four times as many as in the same period last year.

Half of the references of AI in the 2025 interactions were connected with psychological wellbeing and wellness, encompassing utilizing chatbots for support and AI therapy apps.