Drummond endorses federal legislation to combat use of artificial intelligence in child exploitation
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 12, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond has expressed his support for a congressional measure targeting the use of artificial intelligence for child exploitation.
Drummond and a coalition of 43 other state and territory attorneys general signed a June 10 letter to U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy endorsing the Child Exploitation and Artificial Intelligence Expert Commission Act of 2024. Langworthy is the bill’s chief sponsor.
“While the rapid development of AI can hold great promise for humanity, it also has the potential to be extremely dangerous. In this quickly evolving high-tech environment, we must ensure there are laws in place to protect children.” said Drummond.
The Act would establish a commission to “investigate and make recommendations on solutions to improve the ability of a law enforcement agency to prevent, detect, and prosecute child exploitation crimes committed using artificial intelligence.”
In the letter, the attorneys general note that while AI can be a useful tool for changing the world for the better, it also carries risks.
“A knife or hammer is a useful tool in the right hands. But in the wrong hands, it's a dangerous weapon. It's the same with AI,” wrote the attorneys general. “We are hopeful the creation and work of this commission will result in appropriate safety measures and updates to existing laws so we can protect children from being digitally exploited and hold criminals accountable.”
Oklahoma lawmakers are also addressing the use of AI in child pornography. A measure in the recently concluded state legislation session, House Bill 3642, expands the definition of child pornography to include computer-generated or altered images of children being forced to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Drummond had requested the bill, which was authored by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat.
In addition to Oklahoma, the endorsement includes Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
Read the full letter.
