Alabama Lawmakers Move to Protect Children from AI-Generated Sexual Images

The Alabama House passed House Bill 347, a consumer protection measure designed to crack down on the spread of illegal sexualized images created or distributed using artificial intelligence. The bill passed unanimously and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The legislation is meant to address the growing danger of technology that can generate explicit images of people, including minors, without their knowledge or consent.

State Rep. Ben Harrison (R-Elkmont) explained that the bill closes what he described as an “unintended immunity loophole” that could have allowed some AI developers or technology providers to avoid responsibility when their tools are used to generate harmful content.

For parents, that loophole raises serious concerns. With the rise of AI image generators, it has become easier than ever for someone to create fake but realistic sexual images of another person, even if that person never posed for such a photo.

House Bill 347 attempts to address that risk by making it illegal to distribute private sexualized images without consent. The bill states that someone commits a crime if they knowingly share or transmit a private image of a person who has not given written permission and who had a reasonable expectation of privacy.

The law defines a “private image” broadly. It includes photographs, digital images, videos, films, or any recording of a person engaged in sexually explicit conduct, especially when that individual can be identified either from the image itself or from the circumstances surrounding how it was shared.

Under the proposed law, people who violate these protections could face serious consequences. A first offense would be treated as a Class A misdemeanor, while repeat offenses could be charged as a Class C felony.

State Rep. Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff), who helped sponsor the bill, said lawmakers are increasingly aware of the risks that come with rapidly evolving technology. “We realize we have a major problem with the technology of artificial intelligence,” Gidley said during discussion of the bill.

Gidley pointed specifically to the growing problem of AI tools being used to create lewd or explicit images of people without their permission.“When it creates images of people that are sometimes very lewd and illicit images without their permission, that’s a problem,” he said. “This bill creates protection to protect those who will be unduly taken advantage of.”

For families, the issue hits especially close to home. Experts warn that AI-generated “deepfake” images can be used to bully, harass, or exploit young people online, sometimes spreading rapidly across social media before victims even know the images exist.

Supporters of the legislation say the bill is a first step toward giving victims—and their parents—tools to fight back by holding those responsible accountable and forcing the removal of harmful content.

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, lawmakers and parents alike are grappling with the same reality: technology that can create almost anything also has the power to create harm.

And for many families, the priority is clear—making sure children are protected before the damage is done.