West Hamilton News

COLUMBUS—Senator Louis W. Blessing, III (R-Colerain Township) and State Senator Terry Johnson (R-McDermott) have introduced Senate Bill 217, aimed at regulating potentially harmful uses of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, specifically the exploitation of Ohio's children.

Speaking about the bill, Senator Blessing emphasized the need to protect the safety and privacy of all Ohioans, especially children, from the misuse of AI. He stated, "Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can unfortunately be used in harmful and obscene ways. This legislation seeks to protect the safety and privacy of all Ohioans, especially our children, from misuse of this new technology."

Echoing Senator Blessing's sentiments, Senator Johnson stressed the importance of safeguarding Ohio's most vulnerable population. He said, "Protecting Ohio's most vulnerable, our children, is more important than ever in a rapidly changing world. This bill creates safeguards for the use of AI, prioritizing the safety of all Ohioans in a digital world."

Senate Bill 217 proposes several measures to enhance transparency and prevent the exploitation of children through AI. One of the key provisions is the requirement for AI-generated images to include a distinctive watermark. This would ensure that Ohioans are aware when a product contains AI-generated content and provide information about the system used to create it.

Additionally, the bill criminalizes the creation, transmission, or possession of "simulated obscene material." This includes depictions of minors or impaired individuals that would be prohibited under Ohio's existing child pornography laws if the depicted person was real.

Senate Bill 217 also aims to criminalize the use of modified or fabricated versions of an individual's voice, photograph, image, likeness, or distinctive appearance for various illicit purposes. These purposes include defrauding another person, inducing financial decisions or extending credit, damaging a person's or entity's reputation, depicting a person without their consent in a state of nudity or engaging in sexual activity, or engaging in child enticement or the production of sexually oriented material involving minors or impaired individuals.

The bill will now be referred to a committee for further consideration and discussion. If passed, Senate Bill 217 will provide vital protections for Ohio's children against the exploitation facilitated by AI technology.