South Australia set to criminalise AI deepfakes

South Australia is set to pass new laws protecting victims from harmful images and videos created using artificial intelligence.

More widely known as "deepfakes", offenders caught generating the content could soon face jail time in the state.

The impetus for the legislation is a reported surge in the often sexually explicit, non-consensual images. 

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"These sorts of images have been increasing more than 500 per cent year on year," Attorney-General Kyam Maher said.

The legislation specifically addresses the prevalence of sexually explicit deepfakes targeting women and girls. 

"90 per cent of deep fakes are non-consensual pornographic images, and 99 are women and girls," Maher said.

SA Best MP Connie Bonaros characterised the issue as "the fastest growing threat to women and girls online today".

"Anyone who feels entitled enough to exploit, humiliate or degrade… a woman or a girl or anyone else should feel the full force of the law," she said.

Under the proposed laws, people found guilty of creating or disseminating deepfakes could face up to four years' prison, or fines as high as $20,000.

The government is hoping the new laws will come into effect within weeks.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.