Study finds widespread AI-generated sexual imagery abuse

A peer-reviewed study involving over 7,200 adults in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States has revealed that approximately 7% of respondents have experienced AI-generated image-based sexual abuse. This includes the non-consensual creation, sharing, or threatening to share sexually explicit images created with artificial intelligence.

Research led by Professor Nicola Henry of RMIT University indicates that victimization is prevalent among various demographics, including people under 35, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and people with disabilities. While men reported higher rates of experiencing this specific type of abuse, women reported more severe negative impacts, including higher rates of fear for their safety and mental health consequences.

Approximately 87% of those victimized reported negative impacts on their lives, affecting their wellbeing, relationships, work, or finances. Researchers noted that the true scale of the issue may be larger than reported, as some individuals may be unaware that AI-generated images of them have been created or distributed.