The United Kingdom is set to become the first country in the world to introduce laws criminalising AI tools used to generate child sexual abuse images. Announced on Saturday by Interior Minister Yvette Cooper, the new measures will make it illegal to possess, create, or distribute AI-generated child abuse material, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison.
The legislation will also criminalise AI-powered “paedophile manuals” documents instructing offenders on how to use artificial intelligence for child exploitation. Possession of such materials will be punishable by up to three years in prison. According to Cooper, the laws are essential in addressing the evolving threats posed by artificial intelligence in online child exploitation.
The government highlighted the dangers posed by AI in creating and distributing child sexual abuse content. AI tools have been used to “nudeify” real-life images of children or to superimpose children’s faces onto explicit material. Additionally, online platforms designed to facilitate the exchange of such content will now face stricter penalties, with website operators facing up to ten years in prison.
“We know that sick predators’ activities online often lead to them carrying out the most horrific abuse in person,” said Cooper. “These new laws are designed to keep our children safe online as technologies evolve. It is vital that we tackle child sexual abuse online as well as offline.”
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has reported an alarming rise in AI-generated child abuse images. Over a 30-day period in 2024, IWF analysts discovered 3,512 AI-generated child abuse images on a single dark web site. The number of the most serious category of child abuse images also increased by 10% within a year.
The proposed measures will be included in the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill, which will be presented to Parliament. The UK government is determined to ensure that emerging technologies do not enable or facilitate crimes against children.
By being the first country to introduce such laws, the UK sets a precedent for other nations to follow. With AI technology advancing rapidly, the international community may look to Britain’s legislative framework as a model for tackling online child exploitation.
As AI capabilities continue to evolve, so too must the legal safeguards designed to protect the most vulnerable. The UK’s bold step underscores the need for global action to prevent AI from becoming a tool for harm, ensuring that technological advancements do not come at the cost of child safety.
