Sweden is falling behind – children are paying the price

Children are subjected to sexual abuse in digital environments daily. Artificial intelligence (AI) must be used to put a stop to this. The government has recently presented a new national strategy for AI with the ambition for Sweden to become a world leader in AI. World Childhood Foundation and ChildX are now wondering – when will Sweden become a world leader in law enforcement against child sexual abuse using AI?

The latest report from Uppdrag granskning, “The Hunt” shows that Sweden has fallen significantly behind regarding the capabilities of law enforcement agencies to use AI technology to identify children in ongoing abuse situations and to prevent and investigate sexual crimes against children. This is unacceptable. The technology exists, but it must be prioritized, funded, and implemented.

The Government’s mandate – implementation is now required

Last Tuesday, the government commissioned the Swedish Police Authority to prioritize and intensify efforts against child sexual abuse in digital environments. The mandate includes, among other things, developing cooperation with internet service providers to block material that promotes or enables sexual offenses.

However, mandates without resources risk becoming empty ambitions. The volumes of abuse material are enormous. In 2025, the Internet Watch Foundation received 312,030 reports of confirmed abuse material distributed globally. Meanwhile, the number of reported cases of documented child sexual abuse in Sweden has increased from 906 reports in 2015 to over 6,000 cases in 2024. This requires technical solutions on the same scale.

Make AI tools available to the Swedish police

One of the police’s greatest challenges is managing the vast amount of data they currently lack the resources to investigate. This applies to both tips and seized abuse material. The most urgent task is to identify vulnerable children within this material.

AI is unsurpassed when it comes to analyzing and identifying patterns in large volumes of data. In other words – the technology exists. Now, the police must be given the right conditions to use it.

A concrete example is how the Norwegian police use biometric analysis and facial recognition to match images against ID and passport registries. There are also more AI tools designed to streamline police investigations and the identification of both children and perpetrators, including individuals whose behavior and contact networks indicate an exceptionally high risk to children.

AI has also been developed to map and sort through evidence, find identified abuse material on servers, and geolocate images. The challenge lies in making these resources available to the police in a safe and responsible manner.

Earmarked AI initiatives

For Sweden to become a global leader, the government must allocate specific development funds and long-term investments to streamline law enforcement using AI.

The most effective areas are the mapping of perpetrator behaviors and networks, image analysis to identify victims, and the adaptation of international methods to Swedish conditions. Significant investments in technical innovation based on “safety first” and children’s rights to protection, participation, and integrity are also required.

Protecting children cannot wait

Perpetrators have always exploited new technology to reach children. Digitalization has fundamentally changed crime. Today, perpetrators act anonymously, across borders, and on a massive scale. Therefore, society’s countermeasures must also be technically advanced, legally robust, and clearly prioritized.

Not using AI is an active decision – with real consequences for real children. If Sweden is serious about being a pioneer in responsible AI, children must be included in these world-leading AI ambitions.

We are taking our responsibility. Therefore, we invite you to the Conference (livestream) – AI and the Fight Against Child Sexual Abuse on March 5. Register here:
https://worldchildhoodfoundation.idloom.events/livestream-ai-och-kampen-mot-sexuella-overgrepp-och-exploatering-av-barn