A Tasmanian man has been sentenced to two years in jail after AI-generated child abuse material was discovered on his computer.
The 41-year-old Gravelly Beach man was convicted in the Launceston Supreme Court earlier this month after pleading guilty to possessing and accessing child abuse material.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said this conviction is believed to be the first of its kind in the state’s history involving child exploitation material generated by AI.
Authorities first became aware of the man when he was caught saving and downloading child abuse material from a website and social media platform in November 2022.
He was subsequently identified and six months later, had his home raided and a number of electronic devices containing “hundreds of files” seized.
Detective Sergeant Aaron Hardcastle of the AFP described the historic investigation as “significant”.
“Child abuse material, is still child abuse material, no matter what form it takes,” he said.
“People may not be aware that online simulations, fantasy, text-based stories, animations and cartoons, including artificial intelligence-generated content depicting child sexual abuse are all still considered child abuse material under Commonwealth legislation.”
“Whether the image is AI-generated or depicts a real child victim, the material is repulsive and the Tasmania JACET Team, along with the AFP and its law enforcement partners, will continue to identify and locate those sharing this abhorrent content and put them before the courts.”
