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Parents Demand Action to Stop the Spread of AI-Generated Nude Images
In a chilling revelation, a mother and her 14-year-old daughter are leading a charge for enhanced protection after AI-generated nude images of the teenager and her classmates circulated within a high school in New Jersey. Simultaneously, on the other side of the country, officials are investigating a similar incident involving a teenage boy using artificial intelligence to create and distribute explicit images of students in suburban Seattle, Washington.
These alarming incidents emphasize the critical need for measures against the rising threat of AI-generated sexual material, which is primarily aimed at women and children. According to an analysis published with The Associated Press by independent researcher Genevieve Oh, the spread of such content has reached historic proportions, with over 143,000 new deepfake films released online this year alone.
The growing threat of AI-generated naked photographs
The event in Westfield, New Jersey, occurred during the summer but was brought to the notice of the school on October 20. AI-generated photos with the faces of female students were shared among a group of pals on the social media app Snapchat. Desperate for answers, the afflicted families are now pressing lawmakers to enact strong protections against the exploitation of victims’ photographs via AI models and numerous websites openly promoting their services.
The problem is not limited to New Jersey. A young kid in suburban Seattle reportedly used artificial intelligence to make and disseminate obscene photographs of his classmates. This rash of cases has spurred impacted families, organizations, and legal experts to urge for federal legislation that will provide uniform safeguards across the country. Such restrictions would not only protect victims, but would also send a strong message to future perpetrators.
Pursuing legal remedies
While numerous jurisdictions have established laws criminalizing nonconsensual deepfake porn, including Texas, Minnesota, and New York, the extent and efficacy of these laws differ. Victims in states such as California and Illinois can sue offenders in civil court for monetary damages. New Jersey is already proposing legislation to outlaw deepfake porn and inflict penalties, such as jail time or fines, on anyone who share it.
State Sen. Kristin Corrado of New Jersey sponsored legislation to combat deepfake porn, highlighting the need for a federal statute to ensure comparable safeguards across the country. Advocates are mobilizing for a federal law that would penalize corporations that benefit from applications that facilitate the construction of deepfakes, bolstering President Joe Biden’s executive order to prohibit the use of generative AI for explicit material.
The path ahead
As the spotlight shines brighter on this concerning problem, the question remains: Will federal legislation be the key to stemming the flow of AI-generated pornographic content? While some politicians advocate for AI-generated material disclosures and laws to make sharing deepfake porn photos illegal, organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation express worries about potential First Amendment violations. The fight against AI-generated explicit content continues, with impacted families and campaigners advocating for vulnerable persons’ safety in an ever-changing digital context. In the face of this technological threat, how can law find the proper balance between protecting individuals and ensuring freedom of expression?
Parents in New Jersey recently sought action to curb the distribution of such photographs after a group of adolescent boys used artificial intelligence to make phony nude images of their peers.
The event prompted a police inquiry and the passage of legislation requiring clear labeling and disclaimers for AI-created content.
The fabrication and sharing of such photos is prohibited, and the victims may face harsh penalties.
It is critical to increase awareness about this problem and take actions to avoid it in the future.
