Future Work & Research Gaps
As technology evolves and exploitation methods adapt, significant gaps remain in our understanding, detection capabilities, and prevention strategies. This section identifies critical areas where research and policy development are needed.
Technical Research Priorities
Areas where technical research is most needed:
- Deepfake and AI-CSAM prevention and detection
- Predictive detection of grooming behavior
- Identifying and disrupting organized criminal networks
- Preventing anonymity misuse while preserving privacy
- Tracking cryptocurrency-enabled exploitation
- Understanding how children are targeted and recruited
- Social and psychological research into exploitation dynamics
- Platform design that reduces exploitation risk
- Preventive tools to detect warning signs before harm occurs
Legal & Policy Research Needs
Critical policy and legal research areas:
- Regulatory frameworks for AI-generated CSAM
- Balancing encryption and safety requirements
- Cross-border enforcement and international cooperation
- Platform liability and accountability mechanisms
- Privacy-preserving detection technologies
- Prevention-focused policy approaches
- Age verification and identity protection
- Victim support and recovery frameworks
Open Questions
Fundamental questions requiring further investigation:
- How will AI and emerging technologies evolve exploitation methods?
- How can legal frameworks keep pace with rapid technological change?
- What tools can detect and prevent harm before it occurs?
- How can we balance privacy, security, and child protection?
- What interventions are most effective at preventing exploitation?
Future Threats
Emerging threats and evolving exploitation methods that require ongoing monitoring and research.