AI-Driven Nonconsensual Intimate Imagery Prevalent Across Three Nations, Study Finds
A new peer-reviewed study reveals that approximately 7% of adults in Australia, the UK, and the US have experienced AI-generated sexual imagery abuse, with higher rates among younger individuals, LGBTQ+ people, and people of color. The research, based on surveys of over 7,000 participants, found widespread psychological harm, including fear, depression, and emotional distress, particularly among women. Most perpetrators were known only through online interactions, highlighting the growing threat of digital exploitation in private relationships.
A peer-reviewed study published in September 2026 by Nicola Henry and colleagues at RMIT University reveals that approximately 7% of adults in Australia, the UK, and the US—about one in 14—have experienced AI-generated intimate imagery abuse, with higher rates among younger individuals, LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and those with disabilities. The research surveyed 7,230 adults between July and August 2024, finding that 4.3% had AI-created images made of them without consent, 4.4% had such images shared, and 3.6% were threatened with distribution—often as part of sextortion schemes. The highest prevalence was in the UK (9.3%), followed by Australia (7.7%) and the US (6.5%). Most perpetrators were known only through online interactions (55.6%), with strangers cited as the most common relationship type (21.4%), though former partners (9.2%) and friends (14.2%) were also involved. The study highlights that 90.3% of victims reported at least one negative emotion, including fear, sadness, and depression, with women disproportionately affected in terms of emotional harm and safety concerns. While men were more likely to report neutral or positive reactions, such responses were rare overall. The authors caution that the actual scale may be higher, as many victims remain unaware their images have been generated or shared. The study underscores how generative AI’s increasing accessibility enables nonconsensual exploitation, particularly in private digital relationships, raising urg
This study could significantly influence public discourse on digital privacy, consent, and the regulation of generative AI tools. As AI-generated intimate imagery becomes more accessible, the findings may prompt governments to strengthen laws around image-based abuse, especially in cross-border contexts where jurisdiction is complex. Victims—particularly marginalized groups like LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color—are likely to face compounded harm, potentially affecting mental health services, workplace dynamics, and social trust. The study’s focus on online perpetrators who are known only through digital interaction mirrors earlier concerns around revenge porn, but with a new technological dimension that complicates detection and accountability. Unlike the 2010s-era sextortion cases, where images were often manually edited, AI enables mass production and hyper-realistic fakes, increasing the risk of widespread dissemination. Platforms may face growing pressure to implement detecti