The Australian Federal Police (AFP) expresses serious concerns about the rising exploitation of artificial intelligence (AI) to create and spread child abuse material, including deepfakes. Over the past year, the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) has seen a significant increase in AI-generated explicit content, showcasing how students and offenders misuse AI technologies to create harmful and illegal material.

This concerning development resulted in criminal convictions, including the incarceration of two Australian individuals—one for possessing AI-generated child abuse material and another for creating nearly 800 AI-generated child abuse images. Generational AI, cloud storage, and sophisticated data modelling have emerged, creating and disseminating these materials and posing an immediate cyber security challenge for government agencies, law enforcement, and policymakers across Australia’s public sector.

Recent legal actions underscore the critical nature of this issue. A Tasmanian individual received a prison sentence for possessing AI-generated child abuse material. A Victorian man received a prison sentence for creating nearly 800 AI-generated images that depict child abuse. These examples highlight the real legal consequences that arise from creating and sharing such material.

Commander Helen Schneider emphasised that young individuals must grasp the legal consequences of creating AI-generated abusive content.

“Children and young people are curious by nature; however, anything that depicts the abuse of someone under the age of 18—whether that’s videos, images, drawings, or stories—is child abuse material, irrespective of whether it is ‘real’ or not,” Schneider stated.

Significant ethical considerations surround the use of AI for generating deepfakes. Such actions result in considerable harm, including reputational damage, psychological trauma, and continued abusive behaviour. Deepfake content emerges and spreads, eroding confidence in digital media and presenting significant obstacles to data governance and cybersecurity strategies in the public sector.

Parents and guardians should engage in open and honest dialogues with their children about the responsible use of technology to tackle this concern. The AFP leads the education initiative, ThinkUKnow, which provides complimentary resources to facilitate these conversations and offers guidance on where to find assistance if a child falls victim. In the financial year of 2023/2024, ThinkUKnow delivered 2,218 presentations on online child sexual exploitation, engaging 202,905 students across Australia. The initiative conducted 317 presentations during the same period, reaching over 21,500 parents, carers, and educators.

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The AFP and its partners remain committed to eradicating child exploitation and abuse. The ACCCE leads a national initiative that unites specialised expertise and skills in a central hub. This effort strengthens investigations into online child sexual exploitation and develops prevention strategies to create a safer online environment.

We urge anyone who knows about individuals involved in child abuse to contact the ACCCE. Contact the police immediately by dialling 000 if you are aware of any ongoing abuse or if a child is in danger.

The AFP highlights the importance of using the term ‘child abuse material’ instead of ‘child pornography’ to better reflect the severity of these crimes and their effects on victims. 

The inappropriate use of AI to generate harmful content creates significant challenges for artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in Australia’s public sector. A comprehensive strategy is essential to tackle this matter effectively. It must incorporate legal measures, ethical considerations, public awareness initiatives, and strong cybersecurity protocols.

Justin Lance Marcel Lavadia

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Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.

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