The Dark side of AI: Martin Co. man arrested for possessing AI-generated child porn images

In many respects, the remarkable technology of Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers endless benefits to the world; however, the dark side of AI has landed one Martin County, Florida, man behind bars.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Special Victims Unit, in partnership with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, arrested 29-year-old Leonel Alvarado-Lizano, charging him with multiple counts of possession of computer-generated child pornography. The disturbing images found on Alvarado-Lizano’s electronic devices depict grown men sexually abusing children as young as infants.

This arrest follows the implementation of Florida statute 827.072, which explicitly makes it illegal to possess or create AI-generated child pornography. Leonel Alvarado-Lizano was booked into the Martin County Jail on 20 counts of possession of AI Generated child pornography. His bond is $52,000.

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has revolutionized how we interact with technology, offering innovative tools and solutions. However, this technology also introduces significant risks, particularly to children. At the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), we are deeply concerned about the potential for GAI to be used in ways that sexually exploit and harm children.

Over the past two years, NCMEC’s CyberTipline has received more than 7,000 reports related to GAI-generated child exploitation. These reports represent only the cases we are aware of, and there are likely many more unreported or unidentified instances. As this technology becomes more pervasive, and public awareness grows, we expect these numbers to grow.  ~ NCMEC

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(Source and Leonel Alvarado-Lizano booking photo: Martin County Sheriff’s Office)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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