Minnesota poised to become first in the nation with AI nudification ban
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
In June of 2024, Molly Kelley learned a man she considered a close family friend had taken photos from her social media and used them to create pornographic images and videos of her.
Kelley was one of 80 Minnesota women that this man nudified, many of them acquaintances of Kelley. The experience led Kelley and two other victims to stand behind a bill at the state Legislature that would ban the use of AI technology to create pornographic images.
That ban is nearly reality. It passed unanimously 65-0 in the Senate and 132-1 in the House. Rep. Drew Roach, R-Farmington was the lone opposition to the legislation, arguing that the bill doesn’t get to the root cause and prevent it from happening in the future.
It now heads to Gov. Walz’s desk for a signature, where once signed, it would make Minnesota the first in the country to enact such a ban.
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
“I think the uncomfortable reality is just how ubiquitous this software is and how few guardrails there are,” Kelley told Minnesota Now host Nina Moini. “What's really horrifying is why they're producing imagery that is so realistic, is that these models are trained on the actual abuse of real human beings.”
Nudification technologies allow users to upload a non-explicit photo of a person and use it to create deepfake pornographic images, videos and other sexually explicit content. Those images and videos then end up on dark corners of the internet or are exchanged for money.
Victims are often left to manage the fallout. Kelley said it caused her irreparable harm.
“The burden is on us to show dissemination of these images, and you know, that's hard to do, and sometimes we just don't have it,” said Kelley.
RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, applauded the passage of the bill by lawmakers.
“Nudification apps allow for automated abuse. Those that profit from pain should be held to account, and this bill will do that,” said RAINN Vice President of Public Policy Stefan Turkheimer in a statement.
If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation with a partner, there is a 24-hour statewide domestic and sexual violence hotline. You can call Minnesota Day One at (866) 223-1111 or text (612) 399-9995.
