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Can sharing AI-generated content lead to criminal charges in Minnesota?

On Behalf of | Jan 28, 2025 | Criminal Law, Online Harassment

The rise of artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to create realistic images and videos from scratch. Many people now use AI tools to generate and share content all over the web. This sometimes includes explicit pictures and videos.

This emerging technology brings new legal risks that you need to understand. The laws in Minnesota may treat AI-generated explicit content similarly to traditional explicit content. This is especially true if it involves real people or minors.

Understanding the legal risks of AI-generated content

Before sharing AI-generated explicit content, you should know about several key legal concerns that could lead to criminal charges. For example:

  • Creation vs. distribution: Creating AI-generated explicit content might seem harmless, but sharing it can trigger serious legal consequences
  • Depiction of minors: Any AI-generated content that appears to show minors in explicit situations could violate child exploitation laws
  • Consent issues: Using someone’s likeness without permission in AI-generated explicit content might violate Minnesota’s revenge porn laws
  • Interstate implications: Sharing content across state lines can lead to federal charges and heightened penalties

Now, let’s take a look at how Minnesota punishes these types of crimes.

The possible consequences

As technology changes, so do the laws about AI-generated content. Here’s what could happen if you share explicit AI-generated content:

  • Nonconsensual dissemination: Sharing AI-generated explicit content of real people without consent could result in up to three years in prison and $5,000 in fines
  • Criminal defamation: Using AI to create and share damaging explicit content about someone might lead to up to 90 days in jail
  • Child exploitation: Creating or sharing AI-generated content depicting minors could trigger felony charges with up to 15 years in prison
  • Digital harassment: Using AI-generated explicit content to harass others might result in up to one year in jail

Your actions online can have serious real-world consequences. A discussion with a criminal defense attorney about your situation can help you protect your rights and clarify possible legal issues.