Risto Bergman: Telecoms worker who created AI-generated images of child sex abuse is sentenced

A telecoms worker who created AI-generated images of child sex abuse has been sentenced.

Risto Bergman, 42, who is originally from Finland, used a legitimate artificial intelligence app to make indecent images of young girls being abused.

Scotland's Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said the images were "so realistic" that they could be taken for authentic photographs.

Bergman was said to have used sexually descriptive search terms while using the app.

COPFS said AI then generated the "distressing images" by drawing upon a "digital library" of hundreds of pictures of real child abuse which had been previously shared online by paedophiles.

Images discovered on a computer storage unit found in Bergman's Paisley flat included some described as category A - depicting the most extreme type of child sex abuse.

Bergman, who has since moved from Renfrewshire to Argyll and Bute, last month pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children.

He returned to Paisley Sheriff Court on Monday, where he was handed an 18-month Community Payback Order (CPO).

His name was also added to the sex offenders' register.

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David Bernard, procurator fiscal for north Strathclyde, said Bergman had created illegal material that both exploited children and perpetuated abuse.

He 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."