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by Valerie Bell
If you've driven along an Alabama interstate recently, you may have noticed a billboard with a message that's hard to ignore: "Don't Look Away. Alabama Leaders Failed to Protect Children From AI Nudification."
The signs have been appearing across the state, drawing attention to growing concerns over artificial intelligence and its ability to generate sexually explicit images from ordinary photographs.
The billboard campaign was launched by the Christian Coalition of Alabama, which says its goal is to raise awareness about what it views as the dangers of AI-generated nude imagery and to encourage action on legislation aimed at addressing the issue.
"We decided to not just do email and digital ads, but we want to do visual ads too, billboards, to create an awareness among the people that are in Alabama about the dangers of Grok," said Dr. Randy Brinson, chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama.
The organization is highlighting House Bill 347, legislation that passed the Alabama House of Representatives earlier this year but did not become law before the legislative session ended.
According to Representative Russell Bedsole, one of the bill's co-sponsors, the measure was designed to address software and platforms used to create sexually explicit images without a person's consent.
"HB 347, pretty much a common-sense piece of legislation," Bedsole said. "It was narrowly tailored after software developers with a purpose of designing or promoting or marketing a piece of software with the explicit purpose of producing sexually graphic material."
The bill would have allowed victims to pursue civil action against certain websites, applications, and technology providers that knowingly or recklessly facilitate the creation or distribution of non-consensual sexually explicit images. It also would have required online platforms to establish a process for victims to request removal of those images and would have granted enforcement authority to the Alabama Attorney General.
Bedsole said one of the primary concerns behind the legislation is the potential impact on children.
"Oftentimes the victims in our communities are our children, and with technology being what it is and advancing quickly, we're seeing where oftentimes a very innocent picture can be placed into a piece of software with the sole purpose of depicting the child, in this case, or many cases, in a nude format, in which it ends up ultimately harming the child," he said.
The legislation passed the House without opposition but did not receive final passage before lawmakers adjourned for the year.
"It moved rather quickly through the House," Bedsole said. "I don't know what stronger message we could send as a body when there was absolutely nobody opposed to this bill. But there are thousands of bills that gets introduced to the session … I think at the end of the day, we simply ran out of time, which is unfortunate."
Meanwhile, Brinson said his organization's goal is to keep public attention focused on the issue as AI technology continues to evolve.
"It's a terrible problem," Brinson said. "And the thing with Grok particularly and other platforms … when you go on Spicy Grok … they are actually directed at how to create these pornographic images. It's not just that they have to go figure out the tools of it. They're actually told."
Brinson also said the organization plans to continue educating parents, churches, schools, and community groups about the risks associated with AI-generated imagery and online photo sharing.
Lawmakers and advocacy groups alike say one challenge is keeping pace with technology that is advancing rapidly.
"A bill like this, well intended to ensure that we protect Alabamians from being depicted in such a way that could harm them psychologically, we want to make sure that those get addressed quickly," Bedsole said. "And so I think it should be a priority for next legislative session."
Bedsole said he expects the legislation, or a similar version of it, to return when lawmakers reconvene next year.
"Yeah, I think you'll see this bill come back next session," Bedsole said. "And absolutely, my plan would be to sign on once again as a co-sponsor."
The I-Team did reach out to Grok and other AI platforms, asking the following:
At the time of publish, no response has been received.
2026 Sinclair, Inc.
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