Every state attorney general in the country is asking Congress to investigate and pass new laws that address artificial intelligence’s ability to make child pornography. In a letter to congressional leaders, the attorneys general said AI is “creating a new frontier for abuse that makes such prosecution more difficult.”
The letter detailed exactly how the crimes are committed.
“AI tools can rapidly and easily create ‘deepfakes’ by studying real photographs of abused children to generate new images showing those children in sexual positions,” the letter said. “This involves overlaying the face of one person on the body of another. Deepfakes can also be generated by overlaying photographs of otherwise unvictimized children on the internet with photographs of abused children to create new CSAM involving the previously unharmed children.”
The letter is reaching a receptive audience in Congress.
“Child Sexual Abuse material is rampant, and vicious. And we need more protection against AI propagation and spread of it,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal D-Conn., told Straight Arrow News.
Sens. Blumenthal and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said they will be introducing legislation that addresses this soon. The bill is expected to target Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act which creates a liability shield for online service providers, like Facebook and Twitter, for content users post on their sites.
“Artificial intelligence should have no, none, legal immunity like many social media outlets now have. AI can spread and propagate Child Sexual Abuse Material that does enduring a devastating harm to kids,” Blumenthal said.
“I would make it clear that they are liable for civil suits. And I think people ought to be able to get into court and sue them,” Hawley said.
The Senate is holding its inaugural AI forum Wednesday, Sept. 13, when a bipartisan group of lawmakers will meet with the top minds in AI to develop a plan for congressional action.
“We can’t put our heads in the sand like ostriches. If we don’t do anything AI is going to move forward without us and the dangers could be maximized and the opportunities could be minimized,” Sen. Chuck Schumer D-N.Y. said.
Congress is also working on legislation that will regulate how AI companies handle intellectual property and name, image and likeness.
