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Technology companies and child protection agencies will receive permission to evaluate whether artificial intelligence systems can produce child exploitation images under new UK legislation.

Significant Rise in AI-Generated Harmful Material

The declaration came as findings from a safety watchdog showing that reports of AI-generated CSAM have more than doubled in the last twelve months, growing from 199 in 2024 to 426 in 2025.

Updated Regulatory Framework

Under the amendments, the government will allow designated AI developers and child protection organizations to examine AI systems – the foundational technology for chatbots and image generators – and verify they have sufficient protective measures to prevent them from producing depictions of child exploitation.

"Fundamentally about preventing abuse before it happens," declared Kanishka Narayan, adding: "Experts, under strict protocols, can now identify the danger in AI models promptly."

Addressing Legal Obstacles

The changes have been implemented because it is against the law to produce and possess CSAM, meaning that AI developers and other parties cannot create such content as part of a testing process. Until now, officials had to wait until AI-generated CSAM was uploaded online before addressing it.

This legislation is designed to averting that issue by enabling to stop the production of those images at source.

Legislative Framework

The amendments are being introduced by the government as modifications to the criminal justice legislation, which is also implementing a ban on owning, creating or distributing AI systems designed to create exploitative content.

Real-World Consequences

This week, the official visited the London base of Childline and listened to a simulated call to advisors featuring a report of AI-based abuse. The interaction depicted a adolescent requesting help after being blackmailed using a sexualised deepfake of himself, created using AI.

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

Alarming Statistics

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

Instances of category A material – the gravest form of exploitation – rose from 2,621 images or videos to 3,086.

• Female children were predominantly targeted, accounting for 94% of prohibited AI depictions in 2025
• Depictions of infants to two-year-olds increased from five in 2024 to 92 in 2025

Sector Reaction

The legislative amendment could "represent a crucial step to guarantee AI products are secure before they are launched," stated the head of the online safety organization.

"Artificial intelligence systems have enabled so survivors can be victimised repeatedly with just a few clicks, providing offenders the capability to make potentially endless quantities of sophisticated, photorealistic child sexual abuse material," she continued. "Content which additionally commodifies survivors' trauma, and renders children, particularly female children, more vulnerable on and off line."

Support Interaction Information

Childline also published details of counselling interactions where AI has been referenced. AI-related risks discussed in the conversations comprise:

• Using AI to rate weight, physique and looks
• AI assistants discouraging children from talking to trusted guardians about harm
• Facing harassment online with AI-generated content
• Online extortion using AI-faked images

During April and September this year, Childline delivered 367 counselling sessions where AI, conversational AI and associated terms were discussed, four times as many as in the equivalent timeframe last year.

Fifty percent of the references of AI in the 2025 sessions were related to mental health and wellness, encompassing utilizing AI assistants for assistance and AI therapy apps.