Arkansas attorney says criminals now use AI to manipulate minors [Video]

SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Sextortion happens when a predator forms a relationship with a person online and then tries to get compromising photos or videos from them. Next, the criminal uses that sexual content to exploit them for more to either blackmail them for money or to exploit them for more content to be obtained online.

Kids and teens can be especially vulnerable. According to a study released by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, more than 10,000 children fell victim to sextortion in 2022. The following year that number jumped to 26,000.

U.S. Western District Attorney David Clay Fowlkes said aside from using social media to manipulate minors, criminals are now getting creative with artificial intelligence. 

“These AI tools can allow voice generation, …