Man sentenced for creating AI-generated child abuse material

A 42-year-old man from Paisley has pled guilty to creating and storing AI-generated pictures of young girls being abused.

Risto Bergman used a legitimate AI app to create the abusive content, which included Category A material – the most extreme type of child sexual abuse.

He searched for sexually descriptive terms in the app, which then generated pictures by drawing upon a “digital library” containing hundreds of real child abuse images.  

The material was found on a computer storage unit in his Paisley flat.  

The telecoms worker, who now lives in Argyll and Bute, admitted to making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children at Paisley sherrif court last month.

Bergman, originally from Finland, was given an 18-month community payback order, during which time he will be closely monitored and supervised. His name was also added to the sex offenders register.  

The procurator fiscal for North Strathclyde, David Bernard, said: “This is by no means a victimless crime. Bergman’s depraved actions effectively encouraged those who abuse children to continue their activities. 

“Artificial intelligence apps draw upon online images of real children being subjected to sexual abuse. Behind every AI generated 'pseudo-photograph' of abuse are real-life child victims. 

“Bergman made himself a participant in that process. 

“Our prosecutors will use every tool we have to prevent children being exploited or exposed to danger. 

“COPFS (Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service) welcomes this conviction. We would encourage anyone with information on similar offending to come forward, report it and help us seek justice.” 

The sentence comes three months after the UK announced new laws to target the use of AI tools for child abuse content. The legislation, believed to be the first of its kind, made it illegal to possess or distribute AI tools designed to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and carries a punishment of up to five years in prison.

The laws were introduced in response to the rise in AI-generated CSAM, which data showed hit a record-high in 2024.