Artificial intelligence has been identified as a key factor driving a significant 600% surge in modern slavery and exploitation cases involving UK nationals, as per a recent report. The report highlighted a record number of victims, with 23,411 referrals in 2025, marking a 22% increase from the previous year and a substantial 617% rise since 2015 when only 3,263 referrals were recorded.
Notably, British individuals now constitute a substantial portion of potential victims, emphasizing the concerning trend of exploitation within the UK population. Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) Eleanor Lyons emphasized that the magnitude of the issue has reached unprecedented levels. Factors such as escalating living expenses, debt burdens, and precarious job conditions are identified as contributors to the uptick in human trafficking, forced labor, criminal exploitation, and sexual abuse.
The latest data indicates a record high number of potential modern slavery victims referred to the Home Office in 2025, reflecting a more than 20% increase within a year. Among the nationalities referred, UK nationals accounted for over a fifth of all referrals, followed by Eritrean and Vietnamese nationals.
The IASC warned that without fundamental changes in addressing the problem, exploitation is likely to evolve into more digitally-driven and intricately embedded forms in everyday economic and social settings. Artificial intelligence and other technological advancements are enabling traffickers to identify, recruit, and control victims on a larger scale. The utilization of AI in facilitating scams, deepfakes, synthetic identities, and digital labor exploitation is expanding the victim pool and complicating detection efforts.
The report highlighted concerning tactics such as “debt bonding” and “remote mothering” targeted at children, illustrating the evolving nature of exploitation methods. Offenders are increasingly leveraging online platforms to recruit, groom, and manipulate victims with heightened anonymity and reach.
Looking ahead, technological advancements are expected to reshape the landscape of exploitation significantly, introducing new challenges such as AI-enabled fraud, online sexual exploitation, and cryptocurrency-mediated criminal activities. Ms. Lyons stressed the urgency for governmental action to prioritize anti-slavery efforts by establishing dedicated committees, enhancing law enforcement resources, and implementing awareness campaigns to combat exploitation effectively.
The report underscored the growing complexity and diversity of modern slavery, encompassing a wide range of exploitative practices across various sectors and global contexts. Ms. Lyons emphasized the need for proactive measures to address the escalating threat of exploitation, as the consequences of inaction could lead to further proliferation and difficulty in prevention.
