British man gets 18 years in prison for using AI to generate CSAM

A British man who used AI to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. . Hugh Nelson, 27, created the images using photos of real children, which were then manipulated by AI. Nelson was convicted of sixteen offenses of child sexual abuse in August after a lengthy police investigation. This was the first prosecution of its kind in Britain.

Nelson used modeling software called Daz 3D to produce the disgusting images. The program features a range of AI tools, which he used to convert ordinary photos of children into CSAM. Greater Manchester Police said he sold these images online and in several cases was even instructed to create specific CSAM items via photographs of real children. Police say Nelson made about $6,500 selling images online.

He was caught trying to sell images to an undercover police officer in a chat room. “I’ve done beatings, choking, hangings, drownings, beheadings, necrosing, beasting, and the list goes on,” Nelson told the agent to lure a sale. This is evident from a transcript of a conversation provided by the prosecutor.

It’s worth noting that Daz 3D doesn’t create deepfakes, which involve swapping one face onto another body. Nelson created actual 3D renderings by connecting the photos to the AI ​​algorithm.

At sentencing, the judge called the images “harrowing and sickening” and specifically addressed Nelson: “There seems to be no limit to the depths of depravity displayed in the images you were willing to create and show to others.” ‘ He also said it is “impossible to know” whether any children were abused as a result of the images. Police searches of Nelson’s devices did find a series of text messages in which he encouraged people to sexually abuse children under the age of 13. These suspects and potential victims are believed to be located all over the world, including the US.

The United States, of course, is not immune to this horrific trend. Was a soldier for the alleged use of AI to generate CSAM. A Wisconsin man faces up to 70 years in prison for suspected murder portraying CSAM. The world’s leading AI companies to prevent this type of software from being used to generate child sexual abuse material.