Senate bill would criminalize AI-generated sexual images of children and add sentencing enhancements

Sen. Albers, the bill’s sponsor, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Senate Bill 9 would amend and repeal parts of Code section 16-12-80 to define artificial intelligence and make it a basis for criminal liability when someone knowingly distributes or possesses with intent to distribute obscene depictions of a child created using artificial intelligence.

"We've seen young girls, particularly teenage girls, where somebody has used artificial intelligence to use, her face and then superimpose, ******** explicit photos of that person that while not real, they look about as real as could be," Albers said, framing the bill as a response to new methods of exploitation and fraud enabled by low-cost AI tools.

The bill, as described by Albers, would: define the term "artificial intelligence" within the statute; apply that definition to a list of designated offenses (including stalking, exploitation of a disabled adult or elder person, enticing a child for indecent purposes, theft-related offenses, forgery and election interference); and add sentencing enhancements tied to use of AI. Albers summarized the proposed penalties: for a designated misdemeanor, imprisonment of not less than six months and not more than 12 months and a fine up to $5,000; for a designated felony, imprisonment of not less…