AI technology drives sharp rise in synthetic abuse material
New data reveals over 1,200 AI-generated abuse videos have been discovered so far in 2025, a significant rise from just two during the same period last year.
AI is increasingly being used to produce highly realistic synthetic abuse videos, raising alarm among regulators and industry bodies.
According to new data published by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), 1,286 individual AI-generated abuse videos were identified during the first half of 2025, compared to just two in the same period last year.
Instead of remaining crude or glitch-filled, such material now appears so lifelike that under UK law, it must be treated like authentic recordings.
More than 1,000 of the videos fell into Category A, the most serious classification involving depictions of extreme harm. The number of webpages hosting this type of content has also risen sharply.
Derek Ray-Hill, interim chief executive of the IWF, expressed concern that longer-form synthetic abuse films are now inevitable unless binding safeguards around AI development are introduced.
Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips described the figures as ‘utterly horrific’ and confirmed two new laws are being introduced to address both those creating this material and those providing tools or guidance on how to do so.
IWF analysts say video quality has advanced significantly instead of remaining basic or easy to detect. What once involved clumsy manipulation is now alarmingly convincing, complicating efforts to monitor and remove such content.
The IWF encourages the public to report concerning material and share the exact web page where it is located.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!
