The UK Safer Internet Center warned students using AI to generate indecent images of their classmates or other children. UKSIC officials said this is the first time they have seen rising numbers of harmful AI-generated images of students.
They explained that several schools began reporting incidents of students using artificial intelligence to create images of their classmates that are considered child sexual abuse material.
UK SIC Warns Students Using AI To Generate Indecent Photos of Children
UK Safer Internet Center Director Emma Hardy described the indecent AI-generated images of students as "terrifyingly" realistic.
"The quality of the images that we're seeing is comparable to professional photos taken annually of children in schools up and down the country," said Hardy via The Guardian.
"The photo-realistic nature of AI-generated imagery of children means sometimes the children we see are recognizable as victims of previous sexual abuse," she added.
Emma Hardy said that students using AI to create these alarming photos of other children should be warned. They should know that what they are doing can spread across the internet.
In worse cases, the AI-generated images they create might be seen by strangers and sexual predators. The UKSIC official said that the school reports clearly show that the potential abuse of artificial intelligence is terrifying.
David Wright, another UKSIC director, said it is unsurprising for children to use AI generators and other new technologies since younger people tend to be curious.
He added that harmful behaviors should be anticipated when new technologies become more accessible to the public. Wright explained that many kids explore the use of AI image generators to see the potential of these tools.
However, these young individuals do it without fully knowing the risks artificial intelligence poses.
UK SIC Asks for Help to Educate Students
Via Express UK, David Wright explained that students and other younger people can't comprehend the dangers of what they do, such as exploring the capabilities of artificial intelligence.
He added that the United Kingdom's officials and citizens-should make efforts to educate pupils and other children regarding the risks of AI tools.
Wright urged them to do this before schools become overwhelmed by issues posed by AI. In the U.K., imagery of child sexual abuse is illegal.
Even if these images are AI-generated or photographic, they violate the country's law. Experts said that cartoons and other less realistic photos of child sexual abuse are still illegal to distribute, possess, and make.
