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Article by Paula Gomes, Tennessee Conservative News –
Cases involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) generated by artificial intelligence (AI) are on the rise and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is warning parents to be aware of the growing threat.
According to federal investigators, images of children can be manipulated using AI-powered apps to create fake, sexually explicit content in just seconds and then used to harass, exploit and extort victims.
Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s Nashville Field Office Terence Reilly says that the targeting of children online has become increasingly prevalent and that children continue to be groomed through devices that connect to the internet.
In a recent podcast, Special Agent Kathleen Callaway with the FBI’s Washington Field Office explained that while grooming isn’t a federal offense, the FBI investigates it because it is a common precursor to the types of illegal acts which fall within their purview.
According to FBI Supervisory Child-Adolescent Forensic Interviewer Martha Finnegan, a high percentage of individuals who collect images of child sexual abuse material are also involved in victimizing children in real life.
Listen to the Podcast below:
State lawmakers are considering new legislation aimed at protecting children from AI-related crimes when the Tennessee General Assembly reconvenes in the new year.
Recently, an elementary school janitor was accused of making child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in Hamilton County.
A referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) led to Hamilton County detectives arresting 28-year-old Zackary Nelson who had been working at Daisy Elementary School.
A search of Nelson’s home resulted in the seizure of numerous electronic devices. Investigators found nearly 4,000 digitally altered photos and videos of children and adults. Authorities state that more than 100 of the images had been manipulated to portray children engaging in explicit sexual acts in various stages of nudity.
A teacher employed by Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) since 2004 was also recently fired after reports that he took photos of students and used AI to alter them and create videos without consent.
Mario Mumphery, a tenured exceptional education teacher at Nashville Big Picture High School was reported by Principal Brenda Diaz to both the Metro Nashville Police Department and to the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) after speaking with multiple students who had concerns. An active DCS investigation is ongoing.
It is already illegal under state law to produce and possess nonconsensual AI-generated images, those found in violation of the law face civil and criminal penalties.
Earlier this year, lawmakers passed the “Tennessee Anti-Grooming Act” which went into effect on July 1st and covers both in-person and electronic interactions between students and teachers.
AI is being used by the FBI to sort through digital evidence as they combat cases of online exploitation of children and teens.
Parents can visit fbi.gov/protectinkids to get tips on protecting children from predators, both online and offline.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, who partner with the FBI also have a service called “Take It Down” which aids in removing CSAM depicting victims under the age of 18.
Sources:
TennesseeConservativeNews.com (articles linked in article)
FBI. gov (sources linked in article)
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
AI’s like most everything else, can be used for good or bad.