Concerns grow about generative AI used to create nonconsensual images

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Concerns have grown about how easy it is to misuse artificial intelligence.

Experts said that as this technology becomes more powerful, awareness and stronger safeguards will be key to combat the abuse of it.

“I’m not a big fan right now. Some good points to it, but it also has some very scary things that can happen,” said Cindy Willems, a resident.

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One of the biggest concerns is generative AI being used to create explicit or nonconsensual images.

“It’s been a very hot-button issue recently,” said Brandon Amacher, director of the Emerging Tech Policy Lab at Utah Valley University.

Amacher said the technology does not require technical skill and that anyone can use it. Experts have said that it may require a shift in how people share photos in the digital world.

“I think we need to be a little bit more stingy about who we share stuff with,” Amacher said. “If we have a public-facing profile, does it include pictures of our children?”

Police in Saratoga Springs said a man was arrested after allegedly using AI to alter images of his 13-year-old stepdaughter. Investigators said the images found on his phone were explicit.

“I think it’s kind of scary because it’s not something that was really ever a threat before,” Amacher said.

Amacher said the technology is evolving quickly.

“I think nobody was expecting it to advance as quickly as it did. And crime always advances with technological capability. Fortunately, I do think we have seen an uptick in regulation and laws that are trying to get this under control, both at a national and local level,” he said.

“I would like to think there were safeguards that could be put into place. I’m not sure what those would be or how they would work, but I’m sure they could come up with something,” Willems said.

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