Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than the laws meant to protect us from its misuse. In Missouri, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are stepping up with proposals to regulate the most dangerous uses of AI—and they need public support to get these protections passed.

We’ve already seen how AI can be used to create fake images, videos, and audio that look and sound real. These “deepfakes” have been used to harass women, spread political lies, and impersonate public figures. Now imagine what happens when these tools are used to target kids, manipulate elections, or create non-consensual pornography using someone’s face.

Some of the bills introduced this session would:

• Make it illegal to create or distribute sexually explicit AI content without the person’s consent
• Label AI-generated images, videos, and audio so people know what’s real and what isn’t
• Let victims of fake AI content sue for damages
• Ban AI chatbots from talking to children about sensitive topics like sex or self-harm
• Require political ads using AI to carry disclaimers

These proposals are not about stifling innovation—they're about setting common-sense boundaries that protect people from exploitation, manipulation, and abuse. Just like we have laws to prevent identity theft or online harassment, we need laws that reflect the reality of 21st-century technology.

While some voices—including President Trump—are calling for federal oversight instead of state action, Missourians cannot afford to wait. The harm is already happening, and the federal government hasn’t acted fast enough.

We call on the Missouri General Assembly to move quickly to pass these AI protections during the next legislative session. Protect truth, privacy, and safety.