An experienced detective is warning parents not to post photos of their children on public online forums, because child sex offenders increasingly use artificial intelligence to generate fake sexualised images.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard issued the warning in a wide-ranging interview on the latest episode of 30 With Guyon Espiner, saying the use of AI to digitally undress children was already happening in New Zealand.
His message to parents was: "Don't [post images of your children] on a public forum… With AI now, we've had cases where children have had their clothes removed by AI. Those images are traded with child sex offenders online."
Beard also said sextortion - where teenagers are coerced or blackmailed using explicit images - is a growing threat. He urged parents to understand that "stranger danger" no longer just means "curb crawlers… people in parks".
"People pretend, 'I'm a 15-year-old girl,' yet they're a 50-year-old male pedophile."
Tech helping police catch offenders, but exacting an emotional toll
In the full interview on 30 With Guyon Espiner, Beard acknowledged the darker side of technology, with cheap spy cameras hidden in everyday objects like pencils and buttons now being used to film people without their knowledge.
He discussed a recent case, where Auckland man Micah Fala pleaded guilty to secretly filming 22 women and girls over a 10-year period.
"In that particular case, the individual - didn't matter whether it was women or children - had the spy cameras operated in toilets and showers and things like that."
But he also credited advances in technology with helping police secure more convictions.
"The work they can do in the technological world, and finding the images, and the trading of images and then identifying victims, and going to them and getting complaints and making a prosecution, it's huge. We never used to have that, or do that."
Investigators now 'witnessing' murders on screen
While surveillance and AI tools are aiding investigations, Beard spoke candidly about the emotional toll on police.
"When I first joined the CIB and we had a homicide, there was no CCTV or technology. We'd have a homicide and you would see the end result," he said. "Nowadays… it's on CCTV and so our staff are witnessing what actually happens. And in some of the cases it's horrific."
Beard said psychological resilience is now a key focus of police welfare, especially as young officers juggle traumatic cases with raising their families.
Beard, who conducted high-profile cases such as the murder of 21 year-old British packpacker Grace Millane, said he receives regular mental health counselling due to the nature of his work.
"I have to look after myself and so I need to make sure my warrant-of-fitness is up to standard and up to date," he said.
Watch the full conversation with Detective Inspector Scott Beard and Guyon Espiner on 30 With Guyon Espiner.
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Where to get help:
NZ Police
Victim Support 0800 842 846
Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00
Rape Prevention Education
HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655 - 0
Safe to talk: a 24/7 confidential helpline for survivors, support people and those with harmful sexual behaviour
Netsafe: 0508 638 723
