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AI-genererad barnpornografi - Verklighetens dystopi? En rättsanalys av internationell, europeisk och svensk rätt

Jakobsson, My LU (2024) JURM02 20241
Department of Law
Faculty of Law
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a new phenomenon but has been in existence since the 1950s. More recently in 2014 a new framework for generative AI was developed. The system can generate realistic images that imitate both works of art and people. The benefits of AI are undeniable, and that AI has the capacity to greatly improve our lives. However, AI may also result in unwelcome developments. In 2023, organizations working to prevent child sexual abuse online discovered a new form of child sexual abuse. They found pornographic images not of real children, but instead of AI generated children, referred to as AI-generated child pornography.

This thesis aims to analyze if Swedish law covers AI-generated child pornography and whether... (More)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a new phenomenon but has been in existence since the 1950s. More recently in 2014 a new framework for generative AI was developed. The system can generate realistic images that imitate both works of art and people. The benefits of AI are undeniable, and that AI has the capacity to greatly improve our lives. However, AI may also result in unwelcome developments. In 2023, organizations working to prevent child sexual abuse online discovered a new form of child sexual abuse. They found pornographic images not of real children, but instead of AI generated children, referred to as AI-generated child pornography.

This thesis aims to analyze if Swedish law covers AI-generated child pornography and whether Sweden is fulfilling its obligations under international and European law. In addition, the thesis aims to investigate whether AI-generated child pornography should be criminalized regardless of whether the images are deemed realistic.

The thesis concludes that there is a need to criminalize the production and possession of AI-generated child pornography, whether the images are realistic or not to ensure that the rights of the child are not weakened. The production and possession of images of child pornography, both realistic and non-realistic is criminalized under Chapter 16 section 10 a of the Swedish Penal Code. Thus, Sweden complies with both international and European obligations to protect children from appearing in pornographic images. However, the Supreme Court’s decision in NJA 2012 p. 400, has resulted in a narrowing, and possible weakening of this law. The Supreme Court ruled that it was unclear whether non-realistic images fell within the scope of the criminal provision and that an interpretation that would include non-realistic images should be made with caution. The Court acquitted the defendant in NJA 2012 p. 400 because the inclusion of unrealistic images was considered as contrary to the defendant’s freedom of information.

Recently, the first case concerning AI-generated child pornography was prosecuted in Sweden. In case B 1428-23 the District Court ruled against the Supreme Court’s precedent and convicted the defendant for attempted child pornography, even though the images at issue were considered unrealistic due to several AI-generated errors, for example an extra leg. Lastly, it should be noted that both the advantages and disadvantages with AI-generated child pornography are addressed in the thesis. Specifically, that no real child is harmed in the production of AI-generated child pornography. Nevertheless, permitting the dissemination of such images creates a risk of harming real children by normalizing the sexualization of children. If the production and possession of AI-generated child pornography is not criminalized, this may not be in the best interest of the child because it could weaken the protections against children in general from appearing in pornographic images. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Artificiell intelligens (AI) är inget nytt fenomen, men förkom redan på 1950 talet. Mer nyligen under 2014 redovisades ett nytt ramverk för generativ AI. Systemet kan generera realistiska bilder som simulerar både konstverk och människor. Fördelarna med AI går inte att förneka, såsom att förbättra våra liv. AI kan däremot leda till oönskade utvecklingar. Under 2023 upptäckte organisationer som arbetar för att förhindra sexuella övergrepp mot barn på internet en ny form av sexuella övergrepp mot barn. Bilderna skildrar inte riktiga barn utan i stället barn som är genererade av AI, vilket kan benämnas AI-genererad barnpornografi.

Uppsatsen syftar till att analysera hur den svenska rätten förhåller sig till AI-genererad barnpornografi och... (More)
Artificiell intelligens (AI) är inget nytt fenomen, men förkom redan på 1950 talet. Mer nyligen under 2014 redovisades ett nytt ramverk för generativ AI. Systemet kan generera realistiska bilder som simulerar både konstverk och människor. Fördelarna med AI går inte att förneka, såsom att förbättra våra liv. AI kan däremot leda till oönskade utvecklingar. Under 2023 upptäckte organisationer som arbetar för att förhindra sexuella övergrepp mot barn på internet en ny form av sexuella övergrepp mot barn. Bilderna skildrar inte riktiga barn utan i stället barn som är genererade av AI, vilket kan benämnas AI-genererad barnpornografi.

Uppsatsen syftar till att analysera hur den svenska rätten förhåller sig till AI-genererad barnpornografi och om Sverige uppfyller sina åtaganden enligt internationell och europeisk rätt. Därutöver syftar uppsatsen till att utreda om AI-genererad barnpornografi bör kriminaliseras oavsett om bilderna bedöms verklighetstrogna eller inte.

Analysen påvisar ett behov av att kriminalisera framställning och innehav av AI-genererad barnpornografi av både verklighetstrogna och icke verklighetstrogna bilder för att inte barnets rättigheter ska försvagas. Enligt gällande rätt är producering och innehav av både verklighetstrogna och icke verklighetstrogna bilder redan straffbelagt enligt 16 kap. 10 a § BrB. Därmed uppfyller svensk rätt både de internationella och europeiska åtagandena för att skydda barn från att förekomma i pornografiskt material. Emellertid kan barnpornografibrottet påstås ha blivit snävare och eventuellt försvagat straffrättsbestämmelsen efter NJA 2012 s. 400. Högsta domstolen bedömde att det ansågs oklart om icke verklighetstrogna bilder skulle omfattas av straffbestämmelsens område och att tolkningen att omfatta sådana bilder skulle ske med försiktighet. I det aktuella fallet frikändes den tilltalade då domen ansågs inskränka den tilltalades informationsfrihet.

Nyligen avgjordes det första rättsfallet i Sverige om AI-genererad barnpornografi. I mål B 1428–23 dömdes den tilltalade för försök till barnpornografi trots att bilderna ansågs icke verklighetstrogna på grund av ett antal fel, såsom ett extra ben. Slutligen kan det konstateras att uppsatsen lyfter både för- och nackdelar med AI-genererad barnpornografi. Specifikt att inget riktigt barn skadas i framställningen av bilderna. Däremot kan en tillåten spridning av sådana bilder skada riktiga barn genom att normalisera att barn sexualiseras. Om framställningen eller innehav av AI-genererad barnpornografi inte skulle straffbeläggas skulle det inte anses uppfylla barnets bästa då det kan försvaga barns skydd i allmänhet mot att förekomma i pornografiska bilder. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Jakobsson, My LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
AI-generated child pornography - The dystopia of reality? A legal analysis of international, European and Swedish law
course
JURM02 20241
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
EU-rätt, straffrätt, mänskliga rättigheter, Artificiell intelligens, barnpornografi
language
Swedish
id
9152990
date added to LUP
2024-06-04 11:13:12
date last changed
2024-06-04 11:13:12
@misc{9152990,
  abstract     = {{Artificial intelligence (AI) is not a new phenomenon but has been in existence since the 1950s. More recently in 2014 a new framework for generative AI was developed. The system can generate realistic images that imitate both works of art and people. The benefits of AI are undeniable, and that AI has the capacity to greatly improve our lives. However, AI may also result in unwelcome developments. In 2023, organizations working to prevent child sexual abuse online discovered a new form of child sexual abuse. They found pornographic images not of real children, but instead of AI generated children, referred to as AI-generated child pornography.

This thesis aims to analyze if Swedish law covers AI-generated child pornography and whether Sweden is fulfilling its obligations under international and European law. In addition, the thesis aims to investigate whether AI-generated child pornography should be criminalized regardless of whether the images are deemed realistic.

The thesis concludes that there is a need to criminalize the production and possession of AI-generated child pornography, whether the images are realistic or not to ensure that the rights of the child are not weakened. The production and possession of images of child pornography, both realistic and non-realistic is criminalized under Chapter 16 section 10 a of the Swedish Penal Code. Thus, Sweden complies with both international and European obligations to protect children from appearing in pornographic images. However, the Supreme Court’s decision in NJA 2012 p. 400, has resulted in a narrowing, and possible weakening of this law. The Supreme Court ruled that it was unclear whether non-realistic images fell within the scope of the criminal provision and that an interpretation that would include non-realistic images should be made with caution. The Court acquitted the defendant in NJA 2012 p. 400 because the inclusion of unrealistic images was considered as contrary to the defendant’s freedom of information.

Recently, the first case concerning AI-generated child pornography was prosecuted in Sweden. In case B 1428-23 the District Court ruled against the Supreme Court’s precedent and convicted the defendant for attempted child pornography, even though the images at issue were considered unrealistic due to several AI-generated errors, for example an extra leg. Lastly, it should be noted that both the advantages and disadvantages with AI-generated child pornography are addressed in the thesis. Specifically, that no real child is harmed in the production of AI-generated child pornography. Nevertheless, permitting the dissemination of such images creates a risk of harming real children by normalizing the sexualization of children. If the production and possession of AI-generated child pornography is not criminalized, this may not be in the best interest of the child because it could weaken the protections against children in general from appearing in pornographic images.}},
  author       = {{Jakobsson, My}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{AI-genererad barnpornografi - Verklighetens dystopi? En rättsanalys av internationell, europeisk och svensk rätt}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}