politics
May 6, 2026
AI driving modern slavery surge in UK
AI tools are enabling traffickers to recruit and control victims at scale, making exploitation harder to detect, a UK report has found
TL;DR
- AI is being used by criminals in the UK to expand modern-day slavery.
- Traffickers use digital tools to identify, recruit, and control victims at scale.
- Reported cases of modern slavery increased by 22% in 2025, reaching 23,411.
- AI-driven scams, deepfakes, and synthetic identities are targeting vulnerable individuals.
- Economic pressures, like the rising cost of living, increase vulnerability.
- The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner warns of a growing crisis if action is not taken.
- AI chatbots have also been implicated in facilitating violent crimes and attack planning.
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