'It's a scary time right now': Oklahoma Senate passes AI child pornography ban

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — On Wednesday, the Oklahoma Senate passed a ban on child pornography derived from artificial intelligence.

The proposal received unanimous support from both Republicans and Democrats throughout the legislative process.

The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office is also applauding House Bill 3642.

According to OCSO spokesman Aaron Brilbeck, "It's a scary time right now for parents. It's a scary time right now for children."

The sheriff's office shared that the internet and artificial intelligence have resulted in new methods of exploiting children that Oklahoma law needs to address.

State Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin), one of the bill's authors, noted, "We had input from all levels of law enforcement on this issue and we're just... closing some gaps so when they actually catch a predator, they can make it stick."

The sheriff's office added that it can be difficult to tell what material is artificial and what's authentic—and that deepfakes present a whole other challenge.

"We're seeing a number of deepfakes that are out there where a person's face is added to an artificial body. It's humiliating for the people who are victims of that. And in a case where you've got underage victims of that, the question is how specifically do you prosecute that," asserted Brilbeck.

Both Rep. Hasenbeck and the OCSO explained that the bill aims to prevent the normalization of such exploitative images.

"They continue to want younger and younger and younger and younger victims so this just sets a precedent for... bad behavior that's... to come," Rep. Hasenbeck shared.

HB 3642 now needs the governor's signature to become law.

Rep. Hasenbeck fully expects the governor's support for the legislation.

Sheriff Tommie Johnson III shared the following statement on the measure:

As sheriff and as a dad, protecting children is my number one goal. [AI child] porn normalizes child sexual abuse and desensitizes potential abusers. Any law that can reduce child abuse I stand firmly behind.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R-Okla.) released the following:

Child predators know all too well how to exploit rapid-fire advances in technology, which means our laws must be at least one step ahead. HB 3642 is necessary to broaden Oklahoma statutes so prosecutors have the necessary authority and tools to combat the evil that is child pornography. I am grateful to the Senate for swift approval of this measure and urge the Governor to sign it when it reaches his desk. We must do everything in our power to protect children now and in the future.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City), the bill's senate author, shared the following:

Child predators are the worst of the worst in society. These are depraved individuals who, most often, cannot be rehabilitated and need to be behind bars. With the rise in artificial intelligence and other forms of technology, we need to strengthen our laws to proactively go after these individuals who want to harm children. That is why I appreciate House Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, who co-authored this bill with me and my Senate colleagues who voted overwhelmingly to support this measure. Once this becomes law, it will send a strong message to those who want to take advantage of Oklahoma children.