North Carolina — September 2026 — A new Change.org petition is calling for stronger legal protections addressing the use of artificial intelligence to create exploitative or sexualized depictions of minors.

The petition focuses on a growing concern surrounding AI-generated material that can depict children even when no identifiable real child appears in the finished image. As generative AI becomes increasingly realistic and accessible, the petition calls on lawmakers to examine whether existing laws provide adequate protections and to close legal gaps that could allow this technology to be misused.

“AI is developing faster than our laws can keep up. We need to make sure new technology does not create new ways for people to exploit children while hiding behind technical legal distinctions.”

The petition urges lawmakers to strengthen protections surrounding AI-generated depictions of minors and ensure that advances in technology do not outpace safeguards designed to protect children.

Sign the petition on Change.org