Rep. Good seeks to prohibit the use of AI in creating child sexual abuse materials.
House Republicans Demand Action on AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Materials
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has come under fire from a group of 30 House Republicans led by Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) for failing to prosecute individuals who use Artificial Intelligence (AI) computer programs to generate Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). Despite federal court decisions affirming the legality of such prosecutions, the DOJ has yet to file a single case.
“This year, there have been numerous reports of widespread AI use for generating CSAM. A Washington Post article cited an internal survey by one dark-web forum which showed that 80 percent of their 3,000 users reported utilizing AI to generate CSAM,” Mr. Good told Attorney General Merrick Garland in a Sept. 14 letter obtained by The Epoch Times.
Mr. Good expressed deep concern over the lack of action, stating, “Justice Department officials who combat child exploitation say such images still are illegal even if the child shown is AI-generated, but they could cite no case in which someone had been charged for creating one.” The group of House Republicans is demanding answers and seeking solutions to address this disturbing use of AI.
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Mr. Good highlighted three circuit court cases that support the prosecution of CSAM under existing child pornography and obscenity statutes. However, despite these legal precedents, the DOJ has failed to take action.
Joining Mr. Good in signing the letter were 27 other conservative House Republicans, demonstrating the widespread concern over this issue.
Mr. Good’s letter comes after a high-profile “AI Insight Forum” hosted by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), which brought together industry leaders and congressional leaders to discuss the regulation of AI capabilities. While the issue of CSAM was not discussed during the forum, Mr. Good is determined to bring it to the forefront of public policy.
Mr. Good emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “The first reports of AI being used to exploit children for the purpose of generating CSAM surfaced in 2019, when it was revealed that AI could generate obscene, personalized images of minors under the age of 18. By July 2020, the AI application had already been used to target over 100,000 individuals.” He called on the DOJ to take swift action to combat AI-generated CSAM.
Mr. Good posed several questions to Attorney General Garland, including whether the DOJ has analyzed relevant data and if there are gaps in the current criminal code that hinder investigations and prosecutions of CSAM. The group of House Republicans is demanding answers and urging the DOJ to launch a specific investigation into CSAM producers and peddlers.
The Epoch Times reached out to the DOJ for comment but did not receive a response.
What are the potential consequences of the growing trend of using AI to generate explicit and harmful content involving children, and how does it affect the safety of our society as a whole?
E legal precedents, the DOJ has yet to take action. This lack of action is deeply troubling and raises concerns about the effectiveness of our legal system in addressing this heinous crime.
The use of AI to generate CSAM is a disturbing and rapidly growing trend. As technology continues to advance, so do the capabilities of AI programs, making it easier for individuals to create and distribute explicit and harmful content involving children. This poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of our children and society as a whole.
The House Republicans, led by Rep. Bob Good, are demanding answers and solutions from the DOJ. They rightly recognize the urgency of addressing this issue and are calling for the prosecution of individuals involved in the creation and distribution of AI-generated CSAM. These individuals must be held accountable for their actions, regardless of whether the child depicted is real or AI-generated.
It is important to note that child pornography involving AI-generated images is not a victimless crime. The creation and consumption of such materials perpetuate the demand for child exploitation and contribute to the overall child sex exploitation industry. This industry thrives on the abuse and suffering of innocent children and must be aggressively combated.
The DOJ needs to fulfill its duty to protect the most vulnerable members of our society. It is crucial that they take immediate action to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in AI-generated child sexual abuse materials. This includes not only those who create and distribute such materials but also those who consume and support this illicit industry.
Furthermore, it is imperative that lawmakers and policymakers work together to strengthen existing laws and regulations to better address the challenges posed by AI-generated CSAM. This may involve updating current statutes, providing law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools and resources to combat this issue, and collaborating with technology companies to develop effective measures to detect and prevent the creation and dissemination of AI-generated CSAM.
The fight against child sexual exploitation and abuse is a collective responsibility that requires cooperation and coordination among various stakeholders. Law enforcement agencies, lawmakers, technology companies, and civil society organizations must work together to address this urgent problem and safeguard the well-being of our children.
In conclusion, the Department of Justice’s failure to prosecute individuals involved in the creation and distribution of AI-generated child sexual abuse materials is deeply concerning. The House Republicans’ demand for action is justified, and urgent steps must be taken to address this issue effectively. It is our moral obligation to protect our children and ensure that those who exploit and harm them face the full force of the law.
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