Ex-cadet Cayden Cork pleads guilty to felony-level charges for threatening to release AI-generated nude images; Army says accountability applies even in the age of generative AI.
Former cadet Cayden Cork was convicted earlier this month after using generative AI tools to create fake nude images — commonly known as deepfakes — of a woman and threatening to publicly release them unless she sent actual explicit photos of herself, according to service court records.
On Feb. 10, Cork pleaded guilty to the charges. A military judge sentenced him to be reprimanded, forfeit all pay, and be dismissed from the Army. He also received a 10-day sentence of confinement, but was credited with time served, resulting in no additional custody.
The prosecution was handled by the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel’s First Circuit. In a statement, Capt. Anthony Williamson emphasized that while AI technologies present new investigative challenges, longstanding principles of accountability remain unchanged.
“This case highlights the ability of the military justice system to adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of technological advancement,” Williamson said. “Personal responsibility is not diminished because a crime was committed with the assistance of artificial intelligence.”
According to court documents, Cork used a publicly available photo of the victim and applied AI tools throughout 2024 to generate altered, sexualized images. He allegedly contacted the woman using multiple phone numbers, threatening in September 2024 to release the fabricated images if she did not comply with his demands.
Officials have not disclosed which AI software platform was used.
