The Criminal Justice Committee is undertaking a short inquiry into AI-generated image abuse and deepfakes.
AI-generated image abuse can include the creation, manipulation or sharing of intimate images using artificial intelligence. This can include so-called "deepfake" images that appear to show a real person in an intimate situation even though the image is not genuine.
The inquiry focuses on AI-generated intimate image abuse and deepfake pornography, which organisations working to tackle violence against women and girls have identified as an emerging and growing form of gender-based abuse.
The Committee will examine:
The Committee is gathering evidence through two separate calls for evidence. These are intended to support different types of contribution and are not mutually exclusive.
This approach will help the Committee gather both specialist evidence from organisations and experts, and personal experiences from those affected by AI-generated intimate image abuse. You may contribute through either route, or both, depending on your experience and expertise.
The Committee is seeking views from organisations, professionals, academics, practitioners and others with relevant expertise.
Read the questions and answer the stakeholder and expert call for views
This call for views closes on 16 November 2026.
This early closing date will enable the Committee to consider responses in advance of its initial evidence session on this short inquiry in December 2026.
The Committee also wishes to hear from people who have been directly affected by AI-generated intimate image abuse or deepfake pornography.
You do not need to be an expert to contribute. The Committee is interested in hearing about your experiences and views, including experiences of reporting incidents, seeking support and engaging with the justice system.
Read the questions and answer the lived-experience call for views
This call for views closes on 11 January 2027.
This longer response period will allow the Committee to gather evidence throughout the inquiry and help inform its consideration of victim experiences, support services, reporting pathways and criminal justice responses ahead of a formal evidence session in early 2027.
Evidence received may be used to inform Committee papers and reports. Where confidential evidence is used, any references will be anonymised.
The Committee is not carrying out a wider review of artificial intelligence, social media regulation or online harms generally.
The Committee cannot investigate individual cases, intervene in ongoing proceedings or provide legal advice.
Please do not include personal information about identifiable individuals.
If you would like to contribute but require information in an alternative format or need support to participate, please contact the Committee clerks at [email protected].
The Committee plans to undertake the following activities as part of its inquiry:
Launch of the inquiry and opening of both calls for evidence.
Engagement activity, including opportunities for people with lived experience of AI-generated intimate image abuse to contribute to the inquiry in private.
Closing date for stakeholder and expert responses.
Initial evidence session. The Committee will hear from experts and stakeholders about the nature and impact of AI-generated intimate image abuse, the current legal and policy framework, and key issues for further scrutiny.
Closing date for lived-experience responses.
Further evidence sessions. The Committee will examine victim experiences, reporting pathways, operational and enforcement challenges, and the response of the criminal justice system. The Committee will also take evidence from the Scottish Government.
Publication of the Committee's report (subject to Committee agreement).