A.I. Accountability: Lawmakers File Measures Addressing Deepfake Pornography, Child Sexual Abuse Material

New legislation at the capitol would help address AI-generated pornography in Arkansas.

H.B. 1518 by Rep. Stephen Meeks (R — Greenbrier) and Sen. Missy Irvin (R — Mountain View) makes it a crime to create, distribute, possess, or view AI-generated sexual material depicting children.

H.B. 1529 by Rep. Stephen Meeks (R — Greenbrier) and Sen. Clint Penzo (R — Springdale) prohibits people from using artificial intelligence to create and distribute “deepfake” pornographic images depicting another individual without that individual’s consent.

In 2001 the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 1496 addressing computer exploitation of a child. The law generally makes it a felony to produce or reproduce child sexual abuse material “by computerized means.”

At the time there was serious discussion about how computers and computer software could be used to manufacture child sexual abuse material. Of course, in 2001 very few people could have imagined today’s artificial intelligence technology, but lawmakers recognized the need to address the issue — and Family Council supported the good law they passed.

Arkansas also has passed laws prohibiting people from distributing pornographic images of another person without the person’s consent, but the law does not address AI-generated images. News outlets have reported how deepfake pornography can be used to harass or intimidate victims. States are working to enact laws protecting innocent people from AI-generated pornography.

Artificial intelligence has advanced by leaps and bounds in recent years. AI-generated pornography is now a serious concern. State laws must stay ahead of the technology. Measures like H.B. 1518 and H.B. 1529 help do that.

You Can Read H.B. 1518 Here. You Can Read H.B. 1529 Here.

Arkansas Authorities Investigating Possible AI-Generated Images of Child Sexual Abuse Material

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette recently reported police have charged an Amity man with possessing child sexual abuse material — some of which may have been generated through artificial intelligence.

The article says AI-generated child sex abuse material is not against state law, but in 2001 the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 1496 addressing computer exploitation of a child.

The law generally makes it a felony to produce or reproduce child sexual abuse material “by computerized means.”

At the time there was serious discussion about how computers and computer software could be used to manufacture child sexual abuse material.

Of course, in 2001 very few people could have imagined the artificial intelligence technology that exists today, but lawmakers recognized the need to address the issue — and Family Council supported the good law they passed.

As technology changes and artificial intelligence advances, lawmakers likely will need to enact new legislation to protect children.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Arkansas Attorney General Joins Coalition Urging Congress to Address AI’s Exploitation of Children

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office recently joined a coalition of state attorneys general urging congress to address the ways in which artificial intelligence may be used to exploit children.

In a statement, Attorney General Griffin said,

AI poses a very real threat to our children. This ‘new frontier for abuse’ opens the door for children to be exploited in new ways, including publishing their location and mimicking their voice and likeness in sexual or other objectionable content.

The bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from across the country expressed concern over how artificial intelligence and “deepfake” technology might be used to generate child sexual abuse material — also known as child pornography.

In 2001 the Arkansas Legislature passed Act 1496 addressing computer exploitation of a child. The law generally makes it a felony to produce or reproduce child sexual abuse material “by computerized means.”

At the time there was serious discussion about how computers and computer software could be used to manufacture child sexual abuse material. Of course, in 2001 very few people could have imagined the artificial intelligence technology that exists today, but lawmakers recognized the need to address the issue — and Family Council supported the good law they passed.

As technology changes and artificial intelligence advances, lawmakers likely will need to enact new legislation to protect children. That is what this coalition of state attorneys general is calling on lawmakers to do.

You Can Read the Coalition’s Letter and Call to Action Here.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.