The Ulster Unionist Party's Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has issued a forceful call for urgent legislation and ethical safeguards following a criminal investigation into the misuse of artificial intelligence at a Northern Ireland school. The move comes after reports that fake, sexualised AI images of female pupils were circulated by a group of boys at The Armagh Royal Academy.

Mr Beattie commended the principal and staff of the school for their rapid response in involving the authorities. He also praised the Police Service of Northern Ireland for opening a criminal investigation at pace, stressing that the incident should not be dismissed as "high jinks" or "banter" but recognized as a serious criminal offence.

The MLA warned that the "insidious" nature of AI-generated content means that the harm inflicted on victims can persist long after any legal proceedings have ended. He noted that such images create a permanent digital imprint that can cause lasting damage to a young person's life and reputation. "This is not 'high jinks' by those pupils involved or just innocent banter; it is criminal behaviour that will have a long lasting effect on those involved," Mr Beattie stated. "This is deliberate, degrading, and visual sexual exploitation of female pupils that we can't just ignore and we must address as part of the 'Ending Violence Against Women and Girls'."

Mr Beattie highlighted a broader, worrying trend regarding the exposure of children to inappropriate material. Citing recent studies, he pointed out that a third of children under 13 are exposed to hardcore pornography, with half of those exposed being as young as nine. He argued that this environment is desensitising youth and leading to the dangerous assumption that sharing AI-generated sexual images is a victimless act.

He further reminded the public that possessing or distributing such content is a punishable offence:

"Any pupil who has been sent these AI generated images should inform the police immediately through their family or through the school authorities, and they must not share them. Being sent and retaining these sexualised images of young girls, even without permission, is an offence and could lead to criminal charges. So speak up and don't be part of the problem."

The Ulster Unionist Party has previously called for ethical AI practices to be enshrined in law, a position highlighted in their 2024 Westminster manifesto. Mr Beattie expressed his hope that the Education Authority is providing the necessary support to the students and families affected by the incident in Armagh.

The PSNI investigation into the matter is ongoing, following reports that several pupils alleged to be behind the images have already been identified.