Willoughby Sponsors New AI Child Porn Penalty Bill

Pornography creators and consumers in Arizona will no longer have a free pass to use artificial intelligence featuring children in their material. Governor Katie Hobbs signed the bipartisan House Bill HB2678 into law on Monday, May 12, 2025.

House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby (R-13), the mother of two young children, sponsored the legislation. She first became aware of the legal loophole allowing Arizonans to create digitally-enhanced child sex abuse material (CSAM) in 2017 after talking with the city of Chandler’s “Internet Crimes Against Children” department.

“I believe AI is a very helpful tool but can be dangerous if used nefariously,” Willoughby said. “I do believe we put too much emphasis on it, or believe what is generated from it as truth, when it isn’t always.”

One thing that will remain permanently true for Willoughby: children — even “fake” children made by AI — should never be featured in any sexual materials, especially considering that AI can use videos and images of real child abuse as training material. That’s why Arizona law now carries the same penalty for AI-created child porn as any other child sex abuse material.

“Protecting all kids from the evils out there is exhausting,” she said. “This legislation helps bring a little peace of mind.”

Some voters and special interest groups disagreed, saying that artificially created pornography depicting fictional children doesn’t actually hurt anyone and can even decrease pedophilia. Willoughby also heard from people who tried to use AI as a workaround or cover.

“Most opposition was that individuals didn’t believe that AI CSAM should have the same penalty,” she said. “I would point out that there are people using AI as a filter of sorts for CSAM and saying that it was all AI causing issues with investigations and arrests.”

The issue is gaining national prominence, with First Lady Melania Trump lending her support in combating AI-created “revenge” porn through legal means.

“I was thrilled when FLOTUS announced her priorities in this area and am so proud of our state to be ahead of the curve on this,” Willoughby said. “Children in Arizona are not to be abused. We will take a hard stance against any child abuse, predators, or anyone trying to manipulate them.”

The new law, as with all others in Arizona, will officially take effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session.