ATLANTA — Using AI applications to create obscene, computer-generated images of real people could soon become a serious crime in Georgia.
State senators on Monday considered a proposal to create the crime of “virtual staring” by using artificial intelligence to virtually undress people.
The technology would have been considered science fiction several years ago, but has now become a “nightmare” for victims whose privacy is violated, said state Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia, a sponsor of the study. Senate Bill 398.
“You shouldn’t be afraid to post a picture of yourself online. You shouldn’t be afraid to have a picture of yourself in a yearbook and have that picture be used in the same way that people are using them now,” Hatchett said. “There need to be some protections in the law, and I think there need to be strong penalties.”
Under the bill, using AI to generate an obscene image of an adult without their consent would be a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. Obscene AI images of minors would be punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Several people told a Senate Judiciary subcommittee Monday that they supported the intent of the bill, but they were concerned it was too broad.
“Sixteen-year-old boys are stupid. You have a tool that will very easily create a nude image, and you’re telling a 16-year-old whose brain is barely fully formed, and certainly not his frontal lobe, that he can’t do that,” said Cindy Battles, policy director of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, a civil rights group. “I don’t think a 16-year-old should be charged with a crime for having an image they created using AI.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia told senators the bill should be revised to target harmful images while protecting satire, political commentary, artistic expression and parody.
“This is what we should be doing with our time because technology is outpacing our criminal justice system,” said House Minority Leader Harold Jones II, D-Augusta.
Lawmakers said they would continue working on the bill, but it was not voted on Monday. Hatchett said he plans to introduce a new version of the bill next week.
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