UNICEF Urges Action Against AI-Generated Child Abuse Imagery

UNICEF has called for the criminalization of AI-created child sexual abuse imagery, urging countries to implement safety measures. With increasing reports of deepfakes, the agency emphasizes the need for urgent action. The UK plans to be the first to illegalize AI tools producing such content.

The United Nations' children's agency UNICEF issued a strong call on Wednesday for global action against AI-generated child sexual abuse content. Citing an alarming rise in AI images that sexualize children, the agency urged countries to criminalize these offenses.

UNICEF highlighted the urgent need for developers to adopt safety-by-design strategies to thwart the misuse of AI models. The agency stressed the importance of digital companies investing in content moderation and detection technologies, pointing out that deepfake abuse poses real and immediate harm.

Raising concerns over AI's role in the 'nudification' of children, UNICEF revealed that over 1.2 million children in 11 countries have been affected in the past year. Meanwhile, Britain announced plans to outlaw AI tools used in creating such images, setting a global precedent.

(With inputs from agencies.)