British man sentenced to 18 years for using AI to make child sexual abuse imagery – The Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — British Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for AI-Generated Child Abuse Images

A British man named Hugh Nelson, aged 27, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for using artificial intelligence (AI) to create images of child abuse. The court found Nelson guilty of several sexual offenses, including making and distributing indecent images of children, distributing “indecent pseudo photographs of children,” and encouraging the rape of a child.

AI Software and Online Chatrooms

Nelson took commissions from individuals in online chatrooms to create custom explicit images of children being sexually and physically harmed. He used AI software from a U.S. company called Daz 3D to generate these images, which he sold to online buyers and also distributed for free. The police in Manchester, England, described this case as a landmark for their online child abuse investigation team.

The licensing agreement for Daz 3D’s rendering software explicitly prohibits its use for creating images that violate child pornography or child sexual exploitation laws, or are otherwise harmful to minors. Daz 3D stated that they condemn the misuse of their software for such purposes and are committed to continuously improving their ability to prevent it. They also expressed their willingness to assist law enforcement as needed.

Use of Real Children’s Images

The court heard that Nelson, who holds a master’s degree in graphics, used images of real children for some of his computer-generated artwork. Judge Martin Walsh stated that it was impossible to determine whether a child was sexually abused as a result of Nelson’s images. However, Nelson intended to encourage others to commit child rape and had no idea how his images would be used.

Nelson, who had no previous convictions, was arrested last year. During police interrogation, he admitted to meeting like-minded individuals on the internet and eventually creating images for sale.

Prosecution and Legal Implications

Prosecutor Jeanette Smith expressed her concern outside the court, stating that it was “extremely disturbing” that Nelson was able to transform normal photographs of children into depraved images using AI tools and a computer program, which he then sold and shared online. This case has raised questions about the intersection of AI and child sexual exploitation, and the existing legislation in the UK does not specifically address the use of computer programs in the manner Nelson did.

This case reflects similar efforts by law enforcement in the United States to combat the troubling spread of child sexual abuse imagery created through AI technology. The Justice Department recently brought what is believed to be the first federal case involving purely AI-generated imagery, where the depicted children are virtual and not real.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. 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. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
   • 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. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability

Analysis

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The specific SDGs, targets, and indicators that can be identified based on the article’s content are as follows:

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

This SDG is addressed in the article through the discussion of the sexual offenses committed by Hugh Nelson, including making and distributing indecent images of children and encouraging the rape of a child. These actions violate the goal of ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children (Target 16.2). The proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18 (Indicator 16.2.3) can be used to measure progress towards this target.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

This SDG is connected to the article’s content as it involves the exploitation and abuse of children, including images of child pornography. Target 5.2 aims to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. 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) can be used to measure progress towards this target.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

This SDG is relevant to the article’s content as it highlights the need to promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all individuals, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. The case of Hugh Nelson and his use of AI software to create explicit images of children emphasizes the importance of addressing inequalities and protecting vulnerable individuals. The proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability (Indicator 10.2.1) can be used to measure progress towards Target 10.2.

Source: apnews.com