The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has warned of the alarming rate at which AI is being used to create child sexual abuse images, posing a significant threat to internet safety. The UK-based watchdog has identified nearly 3,000 AI-generated images violating UK laws, including images of actual abuse victims and underage celebrities. The use of AI in creating sexually explicit content on social media platforms is also a growing concern. The forthcoming online safety bill in the UK will require social media platforms to block the dissemination of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Report suggests AI is central to the rise of fake child sexual abuse images
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has issued a warning about the alarming increase in the creation of child sexual abuse images using AI technology. Nearly 3,000 AI-generated images that violate UK laws have been identified by the IWF. AI models are being trained on images of actual abuse victims, leading to the creation of new abusive content. The technology is also being used to produce abusive scenarios involving underage celebrities and to manipulate photos of clothed children found online.
Recently, there have been international cases of deepfake child abuse, where AI-generated images were used to target Spanish schoolchildren. Susie Hargreaves, the IWF’s Chief Executive, expressed concern about the malicious use of AI technology.
In a month-long investigation, the IWF discovered that 2,978 out of 11,108 images on a dark web child abuse forum violated UK law. This included 20% of content categorized as the most severe form of abuse.
The forthcoming online safety bill in the UK will require social media platforms to block the dissemination of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Addressing the exploitative AI-generated content on social media
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have become breeding grounds for sexually explicit and exploitative AI-generated content. These platforms are under scrutiny for hosting advertisements that sexualize AI avatars and promote adult-focused applications. These explicit advertisements involve the sexualization of child-like figures, taking advantage of content moderation loopholes.
Despite efforts to remove these advertisements, the nature of AI-generated content poses challenges for existing filters. The issue is further complicated by inconsistent age ratings of these apps and their global availability.
Deepfakes represent another dimension of the ethical dilemma surrounding AI-generated content. As AI algorithms become more sophisticated, the creation of ultra-realistic fake images, videos, and audio poses a significant threat to individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. The FBI has already highlighted the urgency of addressing AI sextortion, particularly involving minors.
If you want to evolve your company with AI, stay competitive, and use it to your advantage
To harness the power of AI for your business, you need to identify automation opportunities, define measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), choose the right AI solutions that align with your needs, and implement them gradually.
For AI KPI management advice and insights into leveraging AI, connect with us at hello@itinai.com. Follow us on Telegram t.me/itinainews or Twitter @itinaicom for continuous updates.
Spotlight on a Practical AI Solution: AI Sales Bot from itinai.com/aisalesbot
Discover how the AI Sales Bot from itinai.com can redefine your sales processes and customer engagement. This tool is designed to automate customer interactions 24/7 and manage interactions across all stages of the customer journey. Take advantage of AI to enhance your sales efforts and improve customer engagement. Explore our solutions at itinai.com.
