Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

October 17, 2024

By Rep. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland)
Combating the Use of AI-Generated Images of Minors
If there is a digital equivalent to pioneering and exploration, right now it is indeed Artificial Intelligence, or AI.

According to the website TechTarget.com, AI will make its way into the education field to tailor strategies for individual students based on their needs. In the world of banking and finance, AI is expected to assist customers with credit score monitoring, fraud detection, financial planning, insurance policy matters and customer service.

New vehicles can alert you should you depart from your lane unintentionally and, if you are anything like me, you would have never guessed that driverless vehicles will eventually be in use.

While AI may prove to be a valuable tool, unfortunately it can also be used maliciously.

To address one problem in particular, the General Assembly recently passed important legislation safeguarding against artificially generated images that depict nudity or sexual conduct. The legislation also closes a loophole regarding AI-generated images of minors and child sexual abuse materials.

In Lancaster County, officials are investigating the use AI to generate nude photos that use the faces of more than 20 female high school students. While determining a prosecution strategy, the Lancaster County district attorney found that Pennsylvania courts have determined that within the child pornography statute, a child is legally defined as the actual child. She questioned whether AI-generated images are covered under existing law.

This is the first goal of Senate Bill 1213. It states clearly that an offense has occurred if an individual possesses, sells or disseminates any child sexual abuse material, including that which may have been created by AI.

The bill also addresses the crime of sharing, without permission, images of current or former sexual partners either nude or engaged in sexual conduct. While this is illegal under current law, what is not addressed is if these images were created with AI. Senate Bill 1213 proposes to extend the law to include AI-create images.

Often, government fails to move as fast as technology, but Senate Bill 1213 is certainly a step in the right direction. It has passed in both the House and Senate without opposition and is being considered by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

I suspect that as the use of AI grows, there will be additional changes to other laws. As quickly, yet efficiently, as Senate Bill 1213 came together, I am confident that Harrisburg can continue to respond quickly when needed.

On the discussion of AI, I was excited to learn that software manufacturer NVIDIA launched its AI Tech Community in Pittsburgh. Part of the initiative is the creation of two NVIDIA technology centers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt). Such centers bring together academic researchers to interact with industry and public-sector groups.

The center at CMU will focus on AI use in the fields of robotics. Pitt’s center will be aimed at computational development across the health sciences, including how to use AI in clinical medicine and biomanufacturing.

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Is Your License Plate Difficult to Read? - If your license plate is illegible or difficult to read, you may be eligible for a free replacement. Attend my Hard-to-Read License Plate Event, Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Murrysville Municipal Building, 4100 Sardis Road in Murrysville, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., cohosted with the Murrysville Police Department. Be certain to bring your current vehicle registration card and driver’s license. For more information, call the New Kensington office at 724-472-4102 or the Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113.

Nominate Your Favorite Trail - If you have a favorite trail that provides unique opportunities, encourages and celebrates diverse user groups, or enhances your community, please nominate it for Pennsylvania’s 2025 Trail of the Year.

Each year, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and its Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee (PTAC) designates a Trail of the Year to help build enthusiasm and support for trails and raise public awareness about the value of Pennsylvania’s Trail network. The winning trail will be recognized through a commemorative poster for statewide distribution, a trailhead marker along the trail, and a grant for educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection on the trail.

To nominate your favorite trail, visit https://pacedcitpowerapps.powerappsportals.us/services/Trail-of-the-Year-Nomination/. The deadline for nomination is Friday, Nov. 1.

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month - With cybersecurity threats on the rise, Treasurer Stacy Garrity and the Pennsylvania Bankers Association have teamed up to highlight steps consumers can take to help keep their personal information safe. They are as follows:

• Check your account at least once a day so you notice suspicious activity faster. Report any suspicious purchases as soon as possible.
• Change your online banking password regularly; use passwords that combine letters, numbers and symbols; and never share your username and password.
• Avoid doing online banking or shopping over public wi-fi.
• When shopping online, use reputable merchants and make sure the webpage payment screen begins with “https” and has the tiny padlock symbol at the bottom of the page.
• Don’t open emails that appear suspicious, especially if the message contains links to websites.
• Always log out of your online banking website when you’re done.
• Lock your computer or your smartphone when you’re not using it.

Read more by visiting https://www.patreasury.gov/newsroom/archive/2024/10-1-Cybersecurity.html.