Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to generate fake images of child sexual abuse based on real victims, a report has found.
The tools used to create the images remain legal in the UK, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWL) said, although AI Images of child sexual abuse are illegal.
He cited the example of a victim of child rape and torture, whose attacker published images of her when she was between three and eight years old.
The nonprofit reported that Olivia, not her real name, was rescued by police in 2023 — but years later, dark web users are using AI tools to generate computer images of her in new abuse situations.
Offenders are compiling collections of images of identified victims, such as Olivia, and using them to tweak AI models to create new material, IWL said.
A template for generating new images of Olivia, who is now in her 20s, was available for free download, it emerged.
A dark web user allegedly shared an anonymous page containing links to AI models for 128 different victims of child sexual abuse.
Other fine-tuned models could generate AI child sexual material from celebrity children, LIT said.
IWL analysts found that 90% of the AI images were realistic enough to be assessed under the same law as real child sexual abuse material.
They also found that AI images are becoming increasingly extreme.
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LIT warned that “hundreds of images can be displayed at the click of a button” and some have “near-perfect photorealistic quality.”
Its chief executive, Susie Hargreaves, said: “We will be watching closely to see how the industry, regulators and government respond to the threat, to ensure that Olivia’s suffering, and that of children like her, is not exacerbated, reimagined and recreated using AI tools. “
Richard Collard of the NSPCC said: “The speed at which AI-generated child abuse is developing is incredibly worrying, but it is also preventable. Many AI products are being developed and implemented without even the most basic considerations for safety. child abuse, retraumatizing children who are victims of abuse.
“It is crucial that the protection of children is a fundamental pillar of any government legislation around AI safety. We must also now demand tough action from tech companies to stop the growth of AI abuse and ensure that children whose images are being used are identified and supported.”
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