TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Detectives with the Leon County Sheriff\u2019s Office say they\u2019re seeing a recent uptick in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to commit crimes. <\/p>\n
Over the past few months, investigators say they\u2019ve received more cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which monitors online activity. They say this is expected to continue as the use of artificial intelligence grows. <\/p>\n
Detective Shae Campbell with LCSO\u2019s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit says they\u2019re seeing people, including teens, using AI systems themselves to create illegal content.<\/a> She says that includes child sex abuse material.<\/p>\n Just this week, an 18-year-old was arrested<\/a> after allegedly possessing both \u201cAI-generated and actual child sexual abuse material, as well as animal sexual abuse material,\u201d according to LCSO.<\/p>\n Campbell says some people believe that asking AI software to create images removes responsibility, but investigators say that\u2019s not the case.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople tend to abuse it, and I think it\u2019s because they think, well, I\u2019m telling something else to do it, so they don\u2019t think that they\u2019ll get in trouble for it, but realistically, you\u2019re controlling something, it\u2019s the same as if you\u2019re driving a car,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cIt\u2019s always monitored, and if you\u2019re doing something you\u2019re not supposed to, we\u2019ll find out.\u201d<\/p>\n More on crime in our area:<\/p>\n Campbell says it\u2019s important for parents to talk with their kids about how to properly use AI platforms and to avoid asking systems to create inappropriate or illegal material.<\/p>\n \u201cI would just communicate with your kids, just make sure you know if they\u2019re saying, \u2018oh I\u2019ll just use ChatGPT, or just do this on ChatGPT,\u2019 you know just have the conversation of hey make sure you\u2019re not doing anything you know you\u2019re not supposed to, you know don\u2019t ask it anything inappropriate, don\u2019t try to create anything you know might get you in trouble,\u201d Campbell said. <\/p>\n She also says that while AI tools can generate nearly anything, there are still ways investigators can tell if something is AI-generated. Many platforms include watermarks or identifying markers that help determine whether an image came from a device or was created using AI.<\/p>\n When it comes to filing charges, Campbell says cases involving AI-generated criminal content are still fairly new. Investigators must prove a person knew they had illegal material, whether through their accounts or by working with companies to track activity.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n