Europol: In production of child porn, increasing use of AI
This approach increases "the amount of illicit material in circulation and complicates the identification of victims as well as perpetrators," the EU-agency based in The Hague pointed out. Processed or generated child pornographic material now makes up a significant and growing portion of child pornographic material on the Internet.
Europol views AI-generated child pornography critically, even when it is completely artificially generated and no real victim is depicted. Such depictions of sexualized violence against minors also contribute to "making children into objects and sexualizing them," Europol warned.
According to a study published by the University of Edinburgh in May, more than 300 million Children are victims of sexual exploitation on the Internet every year. This includes so-called sextortion, or the extortion of minors with intimate photos of them, as well as sexually manipulated images and videos of children generated with AI.
The misuse of AI raises global concerns about abusive use of technology. For example, AI-generated "deepfakes" can be produced - computer-generated, but authentic-looking images and videos that are based on a real prototype.
Europol, in collaboration with the European Union, is actively addressing the issue of child abuse in the digital context. The European Police Office is working towards establishing new strategies to combat the increasing production and circulation of child pornography, including AI-generated content.
The production and circulation of AI-generated child pornography have become a significant concern for organizations like Europol and law enforcement agencies across Europe. These depictions not only contribute to the objectification of children but also complicate the identification and apprehension of perpetrators.
Europol recognizes the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various fields, but its misuse in the production of child pornography is a serious threat. The agency emphasizes the need to develop AI capabilities to combat this issue, including improved techniques for identification and tracking perpetrators.
The deployment of AI in the fight against child abuse is a complex issue with both positive and negative implications. While AI can aid in the identification and tracking of perpetrators, it also poses new challenges in terms of ethical and legal considerations.
The European Union and Europol are committed to addressing these challenges and ensuring that AI is used responsibly in the pursuit of justice. They are working towards developing guidelines and regulations to prevent the misuse of AI in child abuse cases.
In light of these developments, it is crucial for stakeholders, including tech companies, governments, and international organizations, to work collaboratively to address these issues and protect the rights and safety of children in the digital age.
