UK Becomes First Country to Legislate Punishment for AI-Generated Child Sexual Exploitation Material

The UK Home Office announced on the 2nd (local time), as reported by BBC and others, that it will become the first in the world to legally ban the creation and distribution of child sexual abuse content using artificial intelligence (AI).

According to the newly enacted bill, possession of AI tools used to create child sexual abuse content, as well as the acts of producing and distributing such content, will all be illegal, with violations punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Those caught teaching others how to use AI for sexual abuse will face up to 3 years in prison.

The Home Office also explained that a separate bill has been prepared to punish those who operate websites where pedophiles can share child sexual abuse content or experiences with up to 10 years in prison.

The UK Border Force will be granted the authority to forcibly inspect the digital devices of "suspicious entrants."

Yvette Cooper, UK Home Secretary, told the BBC that child sexual abuse against minors online is worsening with the advent of AI, calling it "the most evil crime," and emphasized, "While other countries have not yet banned this by law, I hope all countries will take the same measures."