Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency, has announced that at least 25 arrests have been executed during an international operation targeting child sexual abuse material generated through artificial intelligence (AI).

The individuals apprehended are suspected members of a criminal network engaged in the distribution of fully AI-generated images depicting minors.

This operation represents one of the inaugural instances of law enforcement intervention concerning such AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Europol acknowledged that the absence of comprehensive national legislation addressing these offenses posed "exceptionally challenging" circumstances for investigators.

The arrests were conducted concurrently on Wednesday, February 26th, during Operation Cumberland, an initiative spearheaded by Danish law enforcement. Authorities from at least 18 additional countries have participated in the operation, which remains ongoing, with further arrests anticipated in the coming weeks, according to Europol.

In addition to the arrests, the operation has thus far resulted in the identification of 272 suspects, the execution of 33 residential searches, and the seizure of 173 electronic devices, as reported by the agency.

Europol further disclosed that the primary suspect is a Danish national who was apprehended in November 2024. The statement asserts that this individual "operated an online platform for the dissemination of AI-generated material he produced."

Through a "symbolic online payment," users globally were able to obtain a password granting them access to the platform, enabling them to "view the abuse of children."

The agency emphasized that online child sexual exploitation is a paramount priority for European Union law enforcement organizations, which are confronting "an ever-increasing volume of illicit content."

Europol clarified that even in cases where the content is entirely artificial and does not depict a real victim, as exemplified by Operation Cumberland, "AI-generated CSAM still contributes to the objectification and sexualization of children."

Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, stated, "These artificially generated images are so readily produced that individuals with criminal intent can create them, even without substantial technical proficiency."

She cautioned that law enforcement agencies must develop "novel investigative methodologies and instruments" to address these emerging challenges.

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has issued warnings regarding the escalating production and prevalence of AI-generated sexual abuse images of children on the open web.

Research conducted by the charity in the preceding year revealed the discovery of 3,512 AI-generated child sexual abuse and exploitation images on a single dark web site over a one-month period. Compared to the same period in the previous year, the number of the most severe category images (Category A) had increased by 10%.

Experts emphasize that AI-generated child sexual abuse material can exhibit a high degree of realism, thereby complicating the differentiation between authentic and fabricated content.