February 28, 2026 at 07:00AM
The AI child exploitation crisis is here
AI-generated child sexual abuse material triggers massive reporting spike, with authorities receiving over a million reports in nine months. Experts warn that the ease of creating exploitative imagery with AI tools is expanding risks for abuse networks and victims.
Law enforcement and child protection agencies are accelerating investigations, scaling up tech-assisted detection, and advocating for stricter limits and oversight on AI image generation tools. Campaigns emphasize prevention, rapid removal, and support for survivors amid growing concerns about accessibility and harm.
