Calgary Police Urge Parents to Combat AI-Generated Child Exploitation

In Calgary, authorities are sounding the alarm as the circulation of fake, AI-generated pornographic images involving children and youth intensifies. Staff Sgt. Mark Auger from Alberta’s Internet Child Exploitation team is urging parents to take proactive measures to protect their children online. He emphasizes the importance of securing social media profiles and limiting online connections to known individuals.

Auger stated, “As soon as you accept them as a friend or contact or a connection, you’re letting them into your house.” His warning follows the recent arrest of a 17-year-old boy charged with multiple offenses, including the creation and distribution of child sexual abuse materials. The accused allegedly used AI to fabricate sexualized images of teenage girls from various Calgary high schools, sharing these materials on social media platforms.

The identities of both the victims and the accused remain protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The investigation was supported by the Calgary police, highlighting the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating such crimes.

Rising Threat of AI-Generated Exploitation

As cases of AI-generated child exploitation escalate across Canada, Auger notes that the rapid advancement of technology poses significant hurdles for policing agencies. “It’s not just in this very narrow offense group; the AI capabilities and uses are growing faster than we can keep up,” he remarked, addressing the broader implications of AI misuse.

Statistics underscore the severity of the issue. A report from the Internet Watch Foundation revealed that the number of AI-generated sexualized videos detected online surged from just two in the first half of 2024 to nearly 1,300 in the same period in 2025. This alarming trend raises critical questions about how to effectively prosecute offenders and manage the legal ramifications in court.

Auger explained that the discretion of police plays a crucial role in determining the nature of charges, particularly in cases involving extortion. “When it’s weaponized and used to hurt another person, that’s where it goes to a chargeable offense,” he added.

Legal Perspectives on AI and Child Exploitation

In light of these developments, experts are advocating for thoughtful approaches to legal accountability. Lara Karaian, a researcher at the Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Carleton University, argues that while accountability is essential, the legal response must align with the crime’s nature. She suggests that existing child sex abuse laws may be excessively punitive for AI-related offenses involving youth.

Karaian points out that although deepfake pornography is inherently non-consensual, it differs significantly from traditional sexual violations that involve actual abuse. She draws a parallel to the emergence of sexting and the subsequent legal frameworks established, such as the 2015 federal legislation that criminalized the non-consensual distribution of sexual images.

This legislation could be relevant in prosecuting minors involved in AI-generated pornographic cases, potentially offering a more appropriate legal avenue. Karaian cautions against using sexual abuse charges, which carry severe consequences like mandatory registration on sex offender lists, for AI-related offenses. “Charging minors with sexual abuse crimes may be too blunt a tool for an AI offense,” she concluded.

The increasing prevalence of AI-generated exploitation necessitates urgent discussions among lawmakers, educators, and parents to establish effective strategies that safeguard children in the digital realm. As technology continues to evolve, the need for robust protective measures becomes increasingly critical.

This report was initially published on December 9, 2025, by The Canadian Press.