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Over the years, technology, especially the use of interconnecting computers, generally called the Internet, has brought numerous benefits but has also initiated questionable aspects. Another concerning development is that new forms of child sexual abuse materials have been created with the help of AI. They are raising great concern among the police, child protective bodies, and communities across the globe.
The use of artificial intelligence technology has continued to evolve, and it is becoming easier for any person illiteracy to develop fake images that look more real. These are easy to make given the current advancements in deepfake technology and any other image processing AI, which can just take two different images and synthesize a completely new one. An IWF report stated that IWF recorded a 168% rise in 2022 in AI-generated child sexual images compared to 2021. They point out that such statistics manifest how fast this issue is growing, and the following graph shows a drastic increase.
This is not an issue restricted to a particular part of the world but a concern for the entire globe. The outcome of these AI-generated images is giving many nations across the globe a headache. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has revealed that in the United States, more than 29 million reports of child sexual exploitation were made in the year 2021. Not all of these reports have generated content from AI; however, the above shows that the threat is rife and is increasing.
The consequences of AI-generated images are life-changing. This makes real children exploited in these images they end up suffering from emotional and psychological breakdowns. What is important to consider is that with or without generated images, the cycle of abuse and exploitation is continuous. This has a far-reaching implication since the victims may be subjected to harassment, bullying, and other detrimental outcomes.
Efforts to combat this issue are underway. Police departments, technological corporations, and child advocacy groups are collaborating to make techniques and strategies for combating AI-produced images. For example, the European Union’s Digital Services Act targets such content as platforms must take action on moderation and transparency in their actions.
However, more such efforts like the Online Safety Bill implemented in the UK aim at bringing hardcore rules for Internet businesses to prevent posts containing toxic content, including AI-produced abuse images. These measures are important in increasing child and general community safety through the Internet, more so on social platforms.
Education is apparent as a framework in the fight against the proliferation of AI-generated child sexual abuse images. Increasing people's knowledge about the threat of these images or the technologies involved will help communities fight them. It is advised that parents, educators, and caregivers should take time to educate the young ones on the dangers of getting involved in sharing naked images or having conversations with strangers online.
The spread of AI-generated child sexual abuse images is a complex and disturbing issue that requires urgent attention. By understanding the scope of the problem, supporting law enforcement efforts, and fostering education, society can work together to combat this growing threat. It is imperative to prioritise the safety and well-being of children in the digital age, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for good rather than a means of exploitation.
