Growing demand of AI-generated child abuse material in dark web

As per new research conducted by Anglia Ruskin University, there is a rising interest among online offenders in learning how to create AI-generated child sexual abuse material, as evident from interactions on the dark web. The revelation was made by analysing the chats that took place in the dark web forum over the past 12 months, where group members were found to be teaching each other how to create child sexual abuse material by using online guides and videos and exchanging advice.

Members in these forums have gathered their supply of non-AI content to learn how to make these images. Researchers Dr Deanna Davy and Prof Sam Lundrigan also revealed that some members referred others who created AI images as artists. In contrast, others hoped the technology would soon become sufficiently capable to make the process easier.

Why does it matter?

The following trend has massive ramifications for child safety. Dr Davy stated how AI-generated child sexual abuse material warrants a greater understanding of how offenders are creating and sharing such content, especially for police and public protection agencies. Professor Lundrigan added how this trend ‘adds to the growing global threat of online child abuse in all forms and must be viewed as a critical area to address in our response to this type of crime’.