SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Utah lawmakers are quickly working to clarify the child exploitation law to ensure the generation of child pornography videos using artificial intelligence is illegal.
The rapid advancement of AI technology has outpaced legislative efforts to regulate its potential misuse.
Lawmakers acknowledge the challenge of keeping up with the swiftly evolving capabilities of AI, which, while promising for beneficial applications, also poses risks when exploited by malicious actors.
Brandon Amacher, director of the Emerging Tech Policy Lab at Utah Valley University, highlighted the ease with which individuals can now create content, including images and videos, with minimal technical expertise.
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"Now people that don't necessarily have a ton of capabilities are able to generate content, images, videos very quickly with little to no technical expertise, and they can use that capability for great good but it can also be misused," Amacher said.
He further noted the astonishing pace at which AI has developed in recent years, suggesting that scenarios once deemed distant futures may be closer than anticipated.
The issue has captured the attention of Utah lawmakers, concerned that AI could fuel an industry that exploits children.
Rep. Ariel Defry, sponsor of HB 148 is aimed at clarifying that developing and distributing AI-generated child pornography is illegal in Utah, expressed worries about the rapid development of AI and its potential negative consequences at a committee hearing this week.
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"I believe we are behind in legislating this area, it’s moving so quickly as you know things are happening to celebrities and politicians really rapidly in real time," Defry said.
She emphasized the need for proactive measures to protect children.
The Utah Attorney General's Office said they have encountered AI-generated images in child exploitation investigations. A spokesperson said although such images are not yet prevalent, the proposed legislation is seen as a crucial tool for future prosecutions.
The bill has unanimously passed out of committee and is set to be heard by the entire House.
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