Lesson 27 of 1169
Being Kind with Pictures
AI can draw anyone into anything — and that's exactly why we have to be careful. This is the most important lesson in the whole creative track.
Explorers · Creative AI · ~10 min read
The rule that matters most
Why this matters
AI can put anyone's face on any body, in any place, doing anything. That's powerful — and it can really hurt people. Someone could see a fake picture of themselves and feel scared, embarrassed, or unsafe. At some schools, making a fake picture of a classmate is now a serious rule violation — and in many US states, it's a crime.
A 2025 law in the US (called the TAKE IT DOWN Act) makes certain non-consensual fake images illegal, with real penalties. 46 states have their own deepfake laws. This is serious grown-up stuff.
What IS okay
- Making a picture of yourself (with a parent's OK on where it gets posted).
- Making a picture of a made-up character with a made-up name.
- Making a picture of a famous public place or animal.
- Making a picture for a friend WHEN they asked for one and saw it first.
What's NOT okay
Compare the options
| Okay | Not okay |
|---|---|
| A cartoon knight inspired by a fantasy book. | A picture of your classmate as a cartoon knight — without asking. |
| An AI pet for a story you're writing. | An AI picture of your teacher in a goofy place to share with friends. |
| A made-up character who looks like no one. | Anyone's real face put on anyone else's body. |
This isn't just a rule to follow — it's about being the kind of person who uses powerful tools kindly. AI lets you do things adults couldn't do even five years ago. That's a superpower. Superheroes have rules.
Key terms in this lesson
End-of-lesson quiz
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Questions are best handled with a grown-up here.
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