State Senate Passes Bill Would Make Using AI to Create/Share Nude Images of Real People a Felony

Monday, May 19th, 2025 -- 11:00 AM

(Rich Kremer, Wisconsin Public Radio) Using artificial intelligence to create and share nude images of real people would be a felony in Wisconsin under a bill passed by the Wisconsin Senate.

According to Rich Kremer with Wisconsin Public Radio, the legislation targeting what are known as “deepfake” images was one of a series of bills considered during a Thursday floor session.

It’s already a felony in Wisconsin to take or distribute nude photos of someone without their consent. But current law does not cover images of real people generated by artificial intelligence.

On the Senate floor, state Sen. Andre Jacque, R-New Franken, cited a study by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that found more than 90 percent of “deepfake” videos posted online are “nonconsensual pornography.”

“As the capabilities of AI become more and more advanced, bad actors are increasingly using artificially generated sexually explicit images to harass and intimidate innocent people online,” Jacque said.

The bill passed with a unanimous 33-0 vote and now heads to the state Assembly for consideration. Another bill requiring the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to conduct a nuclear power siting study within 18 months was approved by senators during the floor session.

If enacted, it would also require the PSC to make final decisions on nuclear power plant permit applications from utilities within 150 days. That’s shorter than the typical 180 days the commission has to decide on what are called certificates of public convenience and necessity.

Sen. Julian Bradley, R-New Berlin, referenced “exciting” news that the owner of the shuttered nuclear power plant in Kewaunee County was working with the state’s largest utility company to explore bringing new nuclear energy to the site.

“This is huge for our state,” Bradley said. “This is great for economic development. It is great for all of our ratepayers.” While the bill has seen bipartisan support, Sen. Bob Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, spoke out against it.

“I don’t think we should go down the path of nuclear energy,” Wirch said. “Chernobyl, Fukushima, two of the greatest disasters we’ve ever seen happen, because something went wrong with nuclear power.”

The bill passed with only five senators, including Wirch, opposed. It now heads to the Assembly.

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