Internet Watch Foundation reports a sharp surge in AI-generated child sexual abuse videos. The UK safety watchdog verified 1,286 illegal AI-made CSAM videos in H1 2025, up from just two in the same period last year.
Over 1,000 videos featured the most severe category A abuse. The IWF flagged a 400% jump in URLs hosting AI CSAM, from 42 to 210. Each URL contains hundreds of images and videos.
The videos were created by fine-tuning freely available AI models with existing CSAM material, producing content nearly indistinguishable from real footage. Some of the AI-generated videos are based on real victims. 
An IWF analyst said AI’s competitive, well-funded industry means paedophiles have many advanced tools to choose from.
Derek Ray-Hill, the IWF’s interim CEO, warned about an “absolute explosion” of AI-generated CSAM on the web. He said this growth could boost child trafficking, sexual abuse, and modern slavery.
“There is an incredible risk of AI-generated CSAM leading to an absolute explosion that overwhelms the clear web,”
Derek Ray-Hill stated.“The use of existing victims of sexual abuse in AI-generated images meant that paedophiles were significantly expanding the volume of CSAM online without having to rely on new victims.”
The UK government responded with new laws banning possession, creation, or distribution of AI tools made for abusive content. Offenders face up to five years in jail. Manuals that teach offenders how to use AI for abuse are also outlawed, punishable by up to three years.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized tackling online and offline child sexual abuse with these measures.
AI-generated CSAM is illegal under the Protection of Children Act 1978, which bans indecent images or pseudo photographs of children.
