New Tennessee Laws About AI-Generated Child Pornography

 Posted on August 15, 2024 in Sex Crime Charges

As AI technology advances, its capabilities continue to develop. AI-generated imagery is making big waves in industries such as entertainment, marketing, and art. It has also spread to the porn industry, where images and videos can be manipulated to create realistic but fake explicit content. The state of Tennessee recently passed new legislation addressing AI-generated child pornography, and anyone convicted can face serious criminal charges. If you face accusations of creating pornographic content with the use of AI technology, speak with a knowledgeable Oak Ridge, TN criminal defense attorney to see how you can protect yourself legally.

What is the New Legislation?

First, the state addressed AI technology in a more general sense:

• It enacted a law requiring the governing boards of all public institutions of higher education, local boards of education, and governing bodies of public charter schools to adopt policies about how students, teachers, and staff can use AI for school-related purposes. 
• It then passed the Tennessee Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council Act, creating a council to guide awareness, education, and state government use of AI. 

Next, lawmakers moved more specifically toward law about AI-generated child pornography:

• Tennessee’s attorney general endorsed the Child Exploitation and Artificial Intelligence Expert Commission Act of 2024. 
• The state then enacted legislation specifying that computer-generated images that were modified, adapted, or created by AI are included as material that can be in violation of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation of children. This has a major impact because it places content that is AI-generated in the same category as content depicting explicit acts that really happened.

Potential Penalties

The charges for AI-generated child pornography are similar to the charges you could face for pornography showing real children, so it is important to be aware of all the consequences. Specific charges differ depending on what exactly you were allegedly doing.

• Creating or distributing the content could result in being charged with a Class B felony, which can carry a prison sentence of 8-12 years and fines of up to $25,000.
• Possessing or accessing it could be charged with a Class C felony. You could be sentenced to 3-15 years in prison and fined up to $10,000.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Anderson County, TN Criminal Defense Attorney

Tennessee’s new laws against AI-generated child pornography are an attempt to address modern issues that had never been regulated before. However, it can be hard to keep up with developing legislation. At The Baker Law Firm, we are dedicated to using our legal knowledge to help clients facing any charge. Call 865-200-4117 to speak with a qualified Clinton, TN criminal defense lawyer.