Statement by OSCE PA Special Representative on Artificial Intelligence Onori on the protection of women and children from AI-enabled abuse
COPENHAGEN, 21 January 2026 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Artificial Intelligence, Italian parliamentarian Federica Onori, today issued the following statement on the importance of protecting the most vulnerable individuals from AI-enabled abuse:
“The recent investigations opened by authorities in the United Kingdom and France into the generation of sexually explicit content by artificial intelligence systems raise serious concerns that extend well beyond national borders.
These cases highlight a global issue affecting the OSCE area: the rapid diffusion of generative AI technologies without sufficient safeguards to prevent serious violations of fundamental rights, including the dignity of women and, most alarmingly, the protection of minors.
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Artificial intelligence offers tremendous opportunities to advance education, healthcare, and public services, but it must never become a vehicle for abuse, exploitation, or harm. The creation and circulation of sexually explicit content involving women and children, regardless of whether it happens deliberately or through gaps in oversight, constitutes a clear red line. Protecting the most vulnerable must remain a non-negotiable priority for all OSCE participating States.
These developments underscore the urgent need for a shared and co-ordinated approach across the OSCE region, emphasizing clear accountability for developers and platforms, the implementation of safety-by-design measures and risk mitigation mechanisms, strong co-operation between regulators, lawmakers, and international institutions, and a firm commitment to child protection and gender-sensitive safeguards in the digital environment.
Innovation and freedom of expression are essential values in democratic societies, but they cannot come at the expense of human rights, public trust, or the safety of children. As AI technologies continue to evolve, regulatory frameworks and political responsibility must keep pace.
As Special Representative on Artificial Intelligence, I will continue to promote dialogue, awareness, and co-operation within the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to ensure that artificial intelligence serves people, respects human dignity, and remains fully aligned with the values and commitments shared across the OSCE area.”
For more information on the work of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Artificial Intelligence, please click here.
