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A Calgary teenager has been charged with several criminal offenses after he allegedly used artificial intelligence technology to sexualize photographs of teenage girls at several local high schools.
Researchers conducted a search warrant at the accused teen’s home on Nov. 13 and seized two cell phones, a tablet and a laptop, according to a statement from the child exploitation unit (ICE) of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).
The investigation began in October after ICE received a tip about the posting of child sexual abuse materials on social media.
The teen is alleged to have used AI to victimize teenage girls attending several different high schools in the Calgary area.
Police said they are not identifying the defendants or the schools to protect the identities of the victims. Victims have been offered support services.
Police are warning anyone who finds the images online to report them and not share them further.
The 17-year-old has been accused of manufacturing, possessing and distributing child sexual exploitation and abuse materials, as well as criminal harassment.
“In the Penal Code, child sexual exploitation and abuse material includes photographs, videos and any visual representation of someone under the age of 18 or depicted as under 18 engaging in explicit sexual activity,” ALERT ICE Sgt. Marcos Auger.
As of October 10, the term “child pornography” no longer exists in the Criminal Code of Canada. It has been replaced by “child sexual exploitation and abuse material.”
‘This is not a joke’
Auger could not confirm whether there was any connection between the defendant and the girls whose photographs were attacked, or whether they were chosen at random.
“The most important thing we learned today is that we need people to understand that this is not a joke. This is the most extreme form of bullying and a criminal offense,” Auger said.
He said incidents like this are becoming more frequent as technology improves and becomes more accessible.
The defendant was released under several court-ordered conditions, including that he has no contact with anyone under the age of 16 unless incidental to work or school, and that he has no electronic device capable of accessing the Internet except for work or school.
His next court appearance is scheduled for January 8, 2026.
