‘Act now’: National meeting to combat AI child abuse

Predators are using AI to abuse children at skyrocketing rates as experts meet for emergency talks.

Experts and authorities on child exploitation material will meet for emergency meetings this week as the amount of AI-generated abuse explodes.

The National Children’s Commissioner will meet fellow experts in Canberra on Thursday for the roundtable discussions.

“We are seeing AI generate entirely new types of child abuse material. This is a turning point,” international expert Jon Rouse said.

Figures from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children show AI use has massively increased among predators.

Federal politicians met with social media and search engine company representatives in 2023 for a child exploitation inquiry. Since then, the use of AI has increased immensely. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The centre reports a 1325 per cent increase in child sexual exploitation material reports involving generative AI, up from 4700 in 2023 to more than 67,000 in 2024.

While based in the US, the centre works closely with law enforcement around the world.

The meeting in Canberra has been called to discuss responses to AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, automated grooming and childlike AI personas.

“This roundtable represents a pivotal moment for child protection in Australia,” International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children Australia chief executive Colm Gannon said.

“AI is being weaponised to harm children, and Australia must act swiftly to prevent these technologies from outpacing our systems of protection.”

Australian of the Year Grace Tame will lend her expertise to the roundtable, as will representatives from the eSafety Commissioner, child protection organisation Bravehearts, and Childlight Australia.

“If we act now, Australia can set a global benchmark for ethical AI and child protection,” Mr Gannon said.

Originally published as ‘Act now’: National meeting to combat AI child abuse