Growing concerns about AI being used to create images of child sexual abuse

By Alanna Durkin Richer

Justice Department reporter Alanna Durkin Richer uncovered a disturbing new trend in which federal prosecutors are grappling with the use of artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images and videos of children. Recognizing the urgency of the issue, she began an in-depth investigation into how US states are struggling to address this growing threat, finding that existing laws still need to catch up. After the passage of a new law in California, Durkin Richer identified victims from multiple states and arranged an extensive interview with the Justice Department official leading the prosecutions in this area. In a moving display of empathetic reporting, she also convinced a former Disney television actor, one of the victims, to share her story with The AP. This victim had fought to change California law after a man used her Instagram photo to create deepfake sexually explicit images. Videojournalist Eugene Garcia traveled to Ventura County, California, to capture her experiences on camera, while U.S. Reporting Team lead videojournalist Noreen Nasir produced a compelling video package that sheds light on this critical issue.

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