In Prince Edward Island, the RCMP reports that approximately one-third of their investigations into online child sexual abuse now involve content created by artificial intelligence (AI). This increase in AI-generated material has been noted by senior communications adviser Scott Ferris, who stated that an estimated 33% of RCMP cases related to online child abuse now include AI-generated content, excluding areas with separate police forces like Charlottetown, Summerside, and Kensington.
Const. Tim Keizer of P.E.I. RCMP highlighted the challenge in distinguishing AI-generated images of young people, as they are increasingly realistic and can be utilized for illicit purposes. Under Canadian law, AI-generated child sexual abuse material is treated no differently than real depictions, with criminal charges applicable for creation, possession, and distribution. Section 163.1 of the Criminal Code expressly prohibits any material depicting minors for sexual purposes.
Cpl. Gavin Moore revealed that around two RCMP cases per month involving child sexual abuse imagery lead to charges, though this number likely represents only a fraction of the total cases due to factors like insufficient evidence. The RCMP estimates that AI models play a role in approximately one-third of cases, either generating fake images of children for sexual purposes or creating “deepfakes,” which are digitally altered versions of real individuals.
Regarding sextortion cases, which involve threats to leak sexual images for extortion, Moore stated that P.E.I. RCMP handled 26 reported instances last year. Summerside police also encountered a sextortion case this year involving AI-generated child abuse material, alongside another case of suspected AI-generated child sexual exploitation imagery.
Const. Tim Keizer emphasized the importance of educating young people and parents on the risks of sharing images online to prevent exploitation. Jacques Marcoux, director of research and analytics at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, highlighted the harm caused by AI-generated images, as they often resemble real children from communities. Despite the legal parity with real abuse material, Marcoux stressed the need to track AI-generated exploitation to gauge the scope of the issue and address the growing demand for such content.
In conclusion, the prevalence of AI-generated child sexual abuse material poses a significant challenge, requiring continued vigilance and preventive measures to safeguard vulnerable individuals and combat online exploitation.