COLUMBIA, S.C. — The top prosecutors in all 50 states are urging Congress to study how artificial intelligence can be used to exploit children through pornography and come up with legislation to further guard against it.
In a letter sent to Republican and Democratic leaders of the House and Senate, the attorneys general from across the country called on federal lawmakers to establish an expert commission to study the means and methods of AI that can be used to exploit children specifically and expand existing restrictions on child sexual abuse materials to cover AI-generated images.
“We are engaged in a race against time to protect the children of our country from the dangers of AI,” the prosecutors wrote in the letter. “Indeed, the proverbial walls of the city have already been breached. Now is the time to act.”
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson led the effort to add signatories from all 50 states and four U.S. territories to the letter. Wilson stated that he hoped federal lawmakers would translate the group’s bipartisan support for legislation on the issue into action. He emphasized the importance of protecting children from new, innovative, and exploitative technologies, regardless of political differences.
The Senate has held hearings on the possible threats posed by AI-related technologies. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has stated that government intervention will be critical to mitigating the risks of increasingly powerful AI systems. Altman proposed the formation of a U.S. or global agency that would license the most powerful AI systems to ensure compliance with safety standards.
While there is no immediate sign that Congress will craft sweeping new AI rules, U.S. agencies have promised to crack down on harmful AI products that break existing civil rights and consumer protection laws.
In addition to federal action, Wilson encouraged his fellow attorneys general to review their own state statutes for possible areas of concern. He raised concerns about the creation of “deepfake” scenarios, the alteration of a child’s likeness to depict abuse, and the digital creation of fictitious child images for the purpose of creating pornography.
The tech industry has taken steps to combat the issue, with companies like Meta, OnlyFans, and Pornhub participating in an online tool called Take It Down. This tool allows teens to report explicit images and videos of themselves, including AI-generated content.
Wilson acknowledged that AI is a disruptive technology and emphasized the need for law enforcement and child protection efforts to evolve with the evolving tactics of criminals. He stressed the importance of staying ahead of those who seek to exploit children.
In conclusion, prosecutors across the U.S. are urging Congress to take action in strengthening measures against AI-generated child sexual abuse images. The growing threat posed by AI technology calls for legislative intervention to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.
Focus keyword: AI-generated child sexual abuse images
