Concerns arise as AI detects numerous instances of children being exploited in explicit photos worldwide

The mother of a girl whose photo was used to create AI-generated naked images has revealed that hundreds of parents have reported similar incidents involving their children. Miriam Al Adib's daughter was one of several children from a Spanish village who had indecent images created using fully clothed photos of them. Since then, parents around the world have come forward with similar stories. The Internet Watch Foundation stated that the widespread nature of this practice is not surprising. It was reported in September that more than 20 girls from Almendralejo, aged between 11-17, had AI-generated indecent images shared online without their knowledge. Mrs. Al Adib formed a support group for affected parents, which led to many others reaching out to her to share their concerns. She emphasized the importance of children informing their parents if they are affected. Mothers and fathers from her village have established a support group to assist each other and their children. The combination of easy access to social media, pornography, and artificial intelligence has been described as a "weapon of destruction." The UK government has committed to crack down on AI-generated child sexual abuse material, stating that it is illegal regardless of whether it depicts a real child. The Online Safety Act will require companies to proactively address all forms of online child sexual abuse or face significant penalties. The Internet Watch Foundation has called for urgent action to address child sexual abuse material generated through AI, warning of a potential surge in such content in the future. In a recent report, the foundation found over 20,000 AI-generated images on a forum sharing child sexual abuse material in just one month, with comments praising the realism of the pictures. Educators and organizations working with offenders stress the need for schools to play a central role in educating children about the dangers of AI. An advert for an app claiming to generate nude photos was described as "heartbreaking," and experts believe that open discussions and accurate information are key to ensuring children's safety. The Lucy Faithful Foundation anticipates a rise in AI-generated child sexual abuse material and is preparing to address this issue.