AI-generated child sexual abuse images are spreading. Law enforcement is racing to stop them – KNOP

Cracking Down on the Troubling Spread of Child Sexual Abuse Imagery

Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are taking action against the troubling spread of child sexual abuse imagery created through artificial intelligence technology. This includes manipulated photos of real children as well as graphic depictions of computer-generated kids. The Justice Department is aggressively pursuing offenders who exploit AI tools, while states are enacting legislation to ensure that those generating harmful imagery of children can be prosecuted under their laws.

Trying to Catch Up to Technology

Child advocates are urgently working to prevent the misuse of technology and curb the flood of disturbing images that could make it more difficult to rescue real victims. Law enforcement officials are concerned that investigators will waste time and resources trying to identify and track down exploited children who do not actually exist. To address this issue, lawmakers are passing legislation to allow local prosecutors to bring charges under state laws for AI-generated “deepfakes” and other sexually explicit images of children.

Law enforcement officials are struggling to keep up with the rapid advancement of technology. Ventura County, California District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated, “We’re playing catch-up as law enforcement to a technology that, frankly, is moving far faster than we are.” Nasarenko pushed for legislation in California that makes it clear that AI-generated child sexual abuse material is illegal under state law.

AI-generated child sexual abuse images can be used to groom children, and even if they are not physically abused, the impact on children whose images are morphed to appear sexually explicit can be significant. Kaylin Hayman, a 17-year-old actress, shared her experience as a victim of “deepfake” imagery and emphasized the need to take action against this form of abuse.

AI Images Get More Realistic

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline has seen an increase in reports of content involving AI technology. These reports, however, may be an undercount as the images are so realistic that it is often difficult to determine whether they were AI-generated. Investigators are spending hours trying to determine the authenticity of the images, which diverts resources from rescuing real victims.

The Justice Department asserts that existing federal laws can be used to prosecute offenders for AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery. The U.S. Supreme Court has previously struck down a federal ban on virtual child sexual abuse material, but a federal law enacted the following year allows charges to be brought for the production of visual depictions, including drawings, of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, regardless of whether the depicted minors actually exist.

The Justice Department has already brought charges against individuals involved in the creation and distribution of AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery. Companies such as Google, OpenAI, and Stability AI are collaborating with anti-child sexual abuse organization Thorn to combat the spread of these images.

Conclusion

While efforts are being made to address the misuse of AI technology and prosecute offenders, experts argue that more should have been done to prevent misuse before the technology became widely available. Steps taken by companies to prevent abuse of future versions of AI tools may not be sufficient to detect older versions of models running on offenders’ computers. The fight against AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery requires ongoing vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement, lawmakers, and technology companies.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
• Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18

2. Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 5 – Gender Equality

• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months

3. Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 4 – Quality Education

• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
• Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development (including climate change education) are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 16.2 (End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children) under SDG 16, Target 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres) under SDG 5, and Target 4.7 (By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development) under SDG 4.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. For Target 16.2 under SDG 16, the article mentions the indicator of the proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18 (Indicator 16.2.3). For Target 5.2 under SDG 5, the article mentions the indicator of the proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months (Indicator 5.2.1). For Target 4.7 under SDG 4, the article implies the indicator of the extent to which global citizenship education and education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in national education policies, curricula, teacher education, and student assessment (Indicator 4.7.1).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: knopnews2.com