Artificial intelligence is being cited as a driving force behind a staggering 600% surge in modern slavery and exploitation of UK nationals, according to a recent report. The report highlights a significant increase in the identification of victims, with 23,411 referrals made in 2025, marking a 22% rise from the previous year and a substantial 617% jump since 2015.
Notably, British citizens now represent a record number of potential victims, underscoring the growing impact of exploitation within the UK. The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Eleanor Lyons, emphasized the escalating scale of the issue, attributing it to factors like higher living costs, debt, and precarious employment conditions, which are fueling activities such as people trafficking, forced labor, and sexual exploitation.
The report underscores the concerning role of artificial intelligence and other technologies in aiding traffickers to identify, recruit, and control victims on a larger scale. It warns of AI-driven scams, deepfakes, synthetic identities, and emerging forms of digital labor exploitation that are expanding the victim pool and making detection more challenging.
In a bid to tackle this alarming trend, the report calls for a shift in approach, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to combat exploitation in various forms, including the use of technology for criminal activities. It also highlights the potential risks posed by global conflicts, immigration-related exploitation, reproductive exploitation, and organ trafficking, which are all contributing to the evolving landscape of modern slavery.
Ms. Lyons has urged the government to prioritize anti-slavery measures by establishing a dedicated committee, increasing funding for specialized police units, launching national awareness campaigns, and enforcing fines and prosecutions for businesses found engaging in exploitation practices. She emphasized the urgency of addressing the rapidly evolving nature of exploitation, which is becoming more intricate and pervasive with the advancement of technology and global uncertainties.
The report further predicts a transformation in the exploitation landscape, with reproductive exploitation and organ harvesting likely to become more prevalent forms of modern slavery. It calls for immediate action to prevent the spread of exploitation and emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to combat this growing threat before it becomes even more challenging to address.
