IWF warning over use of AI-generated abuse images

Published:  Wed 25 Oct 2023

A leading child protection organisation has warned that abuse of AI technology threatens to "overwhelm" the internet.

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), external removes images of child sexual abuse from websites.

It says it has found thousands of AI-generated images which are so realistic they are criminal under UK law, external.

AI is being used to produce new images of real victims, de-age celebrities and unclothe children in ordinary photos to depict them in abuse scenarios.

"Our worst nightmares have come true," said Susie Hargreaves OBE, chief executive of Cambridge-based IWF.

"Chillingly, we are seeing criminals deliberately training their AI on real victims' images.

"Children who have been raped in the past are now being incorporated into new scenarios because someone, somewhere, wants to see it."

Read the full article at BBC News.

IWF vindt op zes maanden tijd al meer AI-beelden van kindermisbruik dan in heel vorig jaar: “Zeer verontrustend”

IWF vindt op zes maanden tijd al meer AI-beelden van kindermisbruik dan in heel vorig jaar: “Zeer verontrustend”

De IWF meldt maandag dat er tussen januari en juni al meer door AI gemaakte beelden van seksueel kindermisbruik opdoken dan in het hele jaar 2025.

5 October 2026 IWF In The News
Figures show huge rise in AI-generated child abuse images

Figures show huge rise in AI-generated child abuse images

There are real worries that Artificial Intelligence is making it easier to create images of child sexual abuse.

29 September 2026 IWF In The News
 How proposed 'Georgia's law' can protect victims of nude image scams

How proposed 'Georgia's law' can protect victims of nude image scams

Georgia Harrison has been campaigning for stricter online safety rules and recently met with the Prime Minister to discuss a new 'Georgia's Law'.

10 September 2026 IWF In The News