A 73-year-old former Gold Coast teacher at A.B. Paterson College has been charged after AI-generated explicit images involving staff and students were found on a work-issued laptop, leading to police investigation for creating and possessing child exploitation material and misusing a restricted computer.

The college immediately terminated the employee, secured and quarantined the material, notified authorities, and began an internal review with support for students and staff while emphasizing that there is no evidence the material was shared.

Police allege the teacher used AI software on a work laptop to create explicit images of staff and students and to possess related material, with the case under ongoing investigation.

Detectives stress that misuse of AI to create child exploitation material is a serious offence, with ongoing regional investigations and accountability for offenders.

In a related case, a separate man faced 43 offences for creating AI-generated sexual images of women and displaying them publicly, highlighting broader concerns about AI-assisted abuse.

The nine-month investigation began after explicit AI-generated content surfaced on a school employee’s laptop, triggering the wider inquiry.

The department closed the internal case with the employee terminated, while authorities were alerted and the material was secured.

Officials reiterate the harm caused by AI-enabled abuse and stress that such actions are prosecutable, with law enforcement maintaining active investigations across the region.

The incident has prompted formal charges to be filed, with the teacher due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on August 6.

The school also alerted the Queensland College of Teachers and the Office of the eSafety Commissioner as investigations continue.

Authorities believe up to 50 alleged victims may be involved, underscoring the scale and seriousness of the case.

Australian authorities are treating this as a potential child exploitation matter and are examining the AI-generated content for authenticity and intent.