SACRAMENTO – Tonight the Legislature passed AB 1831, authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), to criminalize the creation, distribution, and possession of artificial intelligence-generated Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). If signed by the Governor, AB 1831 will address the emerging dangers posed by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies creating disturbing and harmful content resembling actual children.
“AB 1831’s passage through the Legislature brings California one step closer to cracking down on AI-generated pictures and videos of children being sexually abused. This would not be possible if it were not for the powerful advocacy from survivors of AI-generated sexual exploitation, who gave voice to the lasting harm this abuse of technology causes," said Assemblymember Marc Berman. “Current law allows real children’s photos to be scraped from the internet, including from social media profiles and school websites, and turned into AI-generated sexually explicit content that can be virtually indistinguishable from real children. The sexual exploitation of children must be illegal, full stop. When signed by Governor Newsom, AB 1831 will be a victory for all children and families in California.”
“Unregulated A.I. has the potential to exploit many, especially children. SAG-AFTRA applauds Assemblymember Marc Berman and the California Legislature for getting AB 1831 to the governor’s desk. We strongly urge Governor Newsom to sign this essential bill into law, and protect minors from those who would use A.I. technology to cause harm,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
“I am very happy to be working with these inspiring people as well as making history. It is my honor to be shining light on this terrible reality for other victims. I’m blessed to be in this position and forever grateful for this team! I look forward to seeing this bill be signed and put into action,” said Kaylin Hayman, a survivor and victim advocate, and former Disney child actor.
“We are happy to support the people who are responsible for the creation of this law that is going to help protect so many children from being victimized. Our entire family is very proud of Kaylin's bravery and resilience on this journey. Hopefully this law will set a precedent for other states and will make predators accountable for the crimes they are committing," said Mark and Shalene Hayman, Kaylin's parents.
“Right now, there is a gap in California Law,” said Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. “Changes need to be made to keep up with the quickly changing technology. This is a serious, prurient, and very disturbing problem. I urge Governor Newsom to sign AB1831 into law.”
“We urgently need to ensure that our criminal statutes against abusing or endangering children clearly reach the sickening and public sexualization of their appearances,” said Ed Howard, Senior Counsel, Children’s Advocacy Institute, University of San Diego School of Law.
"Common Sense Media applauds Assemblymember Berman's efforts to safeguard children online with the introduction of this bill, AB 1831, which builds on the success of AB 1394, a bill that was signed into law last year to help stamp out the deeply harmful problem of online child sex trafficking. This new bill employs a similarly proactive approach, this time protecting kids and teens against online exploitation that is exacerbated by the rise of AI. California should take the lead when it comes to protecting kids and families from the negative impacts of this powerful new technology,” said James P. Steyer, founder and CEO, Common Sense Media.
AB 1831 is co-sponsored by Common Sense Media, SAG-AFTRA, University of San Diego School of Law Children’s Advocacy Institute, the California District Attorneys Association, and Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for its final hurdle.
Contact: bermanpress@asm.ca.gov