Australian Government’s National AI Plan marks a critical step forward for child safety 

Australian Government’s National AI Plan marks a critical step forward for child safety.

ICMEC Australia welcomes today’s announcement by the Australian Government outlining
the new National AI Plan, marking a significant step forward in protecting children in a rapidly
evolving digital environment.

Over the past two years, ICMEC Australia has played a central role in shaping national
thinking on the safe use of artificial intelligence to prevent child sexual exploitation and
abuse. As leader of the SaferAI for Children Coalition, ICMEC Australia has brought together
experts from technology, law enforcement, academia and other not-for-profits to develop
practical, evidence-based measures that prioritise children’s rights and safety.
Figures from the US National Center for Missing & Exploited Children show a 1,325% surge
in AI-related child sexual exploitation reports, rising from 4,700 in 2023 to more than 67,000
in 2024.

Reflecting on today’s announcement, Dannielle Kelly, Head of Government Affairs and Law
Enforcement Outreach at ICMEC Australia, said the task ahead is to ensure innovation
progresses safely.

“Children are already growing up in an AI-enabled world. Our job is to make sure they can
do that safely – not by shutting down innovation, but by putting strong regulations in place,
and ensuring the right tools are in the hands of those who protect them. Today’s actions are
a positive step towards that future,” Ms Kelly said.

ICMEC Australia’s work has helped build the national momentum behind today’s decision.
Through its parliamentary roundtables in recent months, ICMEC Australia has convened
national leaders across government, industry and child protection, including key discussions
that contributed to the Government’s ban on nudify apps.
Today’s announcement represents meaningful progress and a welcome response to this
collective effort.

In parallel, ICMEC Australia is working with police across the country to ensure frontline
officers have the tools, training and specialist expertise needed to respond to AI-enabled
offending. Ms Kelly said this work is becoming increasingly urgent as generative
technologies reshape criminal behaviour.
“AI has become a core tool for offenders, and it now must be part of the response for police.
We are focused on making sure officers have practical, current training and access to AIenabled tools that help them identify harm faster, support victims better and hold offenders to
account.”

ICMEC Australia believes that the implementation of the national AI Plan will provide the
coordinated direction needed to adopt and develop new technologies with confidence while
placing children’s rights and safety at the centre of an AI-informed future.
The organisation looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the Australian Government
to ensure that AI is used for children’s safety, not against it.

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