A crisis is unfolding globally as generative AI technology is being used to create sexually explicit images and videos of children. Reports indicate that thousands of such images are being produced daily, affecting potentially millions of children. A recent study from the Center for Democracy and Technology revealed that 15% of high school students reported encountering AI-generated explicit images linked to their schools.
Furthermore, a United Nations report found that 50% of law enforcement officers worldwide have encountered AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The rise of generative AI complicates the detection and removal of CSAM, as it enables the rapid creation of new abusive images that do not match existing databases of known content.
Schools are reportedly lagging in updating sexual harassment policies and educating students and parents about these risks. However, experts express cautious optimism, noting that there may still be opportunities to address this crisis effectively.
In related news, OpenAI announced high-profile departures, including its chief technology officer and chief research officer, as it transitions from a nonprofit to a for-profit model. This shift could value the company at $150 billion, raising concerns about its original mission to benefit humanity. Observers suggest that internal conflicts over profit motives have led to significant changes within the organization.
Additionally, the use of AI-generated political ads is emerging, with reports of an AI-generated ad targeting a North Carolina gubernatorial candidate. The Federal Election Commission has not implemented new regulations to address the use of AI in political advertising, which raises concerns about the potential for misinformation in upcoming elections.