In Tasmania, a man has been convicted for the first time of any type for posting and downloading AI-generated content that depicts child abuse.
An investigation was launched in November 2022 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children revealed that a user with an Australian address was downloading and storing content about child abuse from a website and social media platform.
In May 2023, the man’s residence was raided by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), who took “a number of electronic devices, including the man’s computer” from him.
Authorities discovered hundreds of documents pertaining to child abuse, many of which were produced largely by AI.
It was noteworthy because, according to AFP Detective Sergeant Aaron Hardcastle, it was the first time police had found evidence of AI child abuse in Tasmania.
“Child abuse material, is still child abuse material, no matter what form it takes,” Hardcastle stated.
“People may not be aware that online simulations, fantasy, text-based stories, animations and cartoons, including artificial intelligence-generated content depicting child sexual abuse are all still considered child abuse material under commonwealth legislation,” he stated.
“Whether the image is AI-generated or depicts a real child victim, the material is repulsive and the Tasmania JACET Team, along with the AFP and its law enforcement partners, will continue to identify and locate those sharing this abhorrent content and put them before the courts.
” The 48-year-old man from Gravelly Beach entered a guilty plea on March 26 at the Launceston Supreme Court for having access to and possession of child abuse materials.
He served a two-year sentence with a ten-month non-parole period.
