The attorneys general from all 50 US states have jointly composed an open letter urging Congress to take action against the exploitation of children through AI, particularly in the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
In their letter addressed to Senators Patty Murray, Chuck Schumer, and Mitch McConnell, as well as Representatives Kevin McCarthy, Steve Scalise, and Hakeem Jeffries, the top prosecutors emphasized the need to establish an expert commission to comprehensively study how AI is used to exploit children, specifically in the generation of CSAM.
They also called for proactive solutions to combat such exploitation and safeguard the well-being of American children.
(Photo : John Conde from Pixabay)
The Understudied Issue of AI
The attorneys general stressed the transformative potential of AI, with its capacity to bring about significant societal advancements. However, they also highlighted the grave risks it poses, particularly in relation to the exploitation of children.
The letter underscored the underreported and understudied issue of child exploitation through AI technology. It acknowledged Congress’s commitment to studying AI and developing regulatory frameworks to address its potential harms but emphasized the urgency of focusing on the exploitation of children through AI.
“AI-generated CSAM images do not ultimately resemble actual children, the images support the growth of the child exploitation market by normalizing child abuse and stoking the appetites of those who seek to sexualize children, and just like deepfakes, these unique images are quick and easy to generate using widely available AI tools,” the letter said.
The open letter noted that the ease with which AI tools can generate these images is concerning, as it has lowered the bar for their creation, allowing virtually anyone to create deepfake images.
The letter said that even if the children in the source photographs for deepfakes have not been physically abused, the creation and distribution of such sexualized content poses significant risks to the children’s physical, psychological, and emotional well-being.
The signatories argued that AI-generated CSAM, whether resembling real children or not, also contributes to the child exploitation market by normalizing child abuse and catering to the desires of individuals who sexualize children.
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Attorneys General Proposed Key Steps
In response to these concerns, the attorneys general called for immediate action to protect children from the dangers of AI. They proposed two key steps:
First, Congress should establish an expert commission dedicated to studying how AI can exploit children and propose effective solutions to counteract this exploitation. Given the rapid evolution of AI technology, this commission should operate continuously to stay current with the issue.
Second, after considering the commission’s recommendations, Congress should take action to deter and address child exploitation. That includes expanding existing restrictions on CSAM to explicitly encompass AI-generated CSAM, equipping prosecutors with the necessary tools to safeguard children.
The attorneys general conveyed a sense of urgency, emphasizing the need to protect the nation’s children from the perils of AI. They called upon Congress to act swiftly, acknowledging that time is of the essence in this endeavor.
“We are engaged in a race against time to protect the children of our country from the dangers of AI. Indeed, the proverbial walls of the city have already been breached. Now is the time to act. We appreciate your consideration,” the letter noted.
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