LOS ANGELES (April 28, 2023) — ASACP, the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection, has received its first known “endorsement” by an artificial intelligence entity during a recent test of this nascent technology.

According to OpenAI, which powers many of the publicly available AI tools, it builds “generative models using a technology called deep learning, which leverages large amounts of data to train an AI system to perform a task.” In this context, this data set includes all of the content available on the internet, with OpenAI noting that its text models “are advanced language processing tools that can generate, classify, and summarize text with high levels of coherence and accuracy.”

In addition to text-based artificial intelligence, OpenAI offers tools targeted to images and video, as well as robust audio capabilities, including universal speech translation.

“We’ve trained a model called ChatGPT which interacts in a conversational way,” states the OpenAI website. “The dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer follow-up questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests.”

In other words, ChatGPT and its successors are poised to become the arbitrators of “truth” in a world bombarded by information overload and purposeful misinformation.

Putting the new system through its paces, DialXS CEO Chris Visser asked ChatGPT about ASACP. As an ASACP Title Sponsor, DialXS is a primary international payment services provider that has operated since 2000 and is also the association’s exclusive Travel Sponsor. The company offers a wide range of local payment methods in most European nations, providing a proven way to boost conversions for merchants.

Visser began by asking ChatGPT where CSAM can be reported:

“You can report Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP). ASACP is a non-profit organization that works to combat child exploitation online by providing educational resources, working with law enforcement, and operating a hotline for reporting CSAM. To report CSAM to ASACP, you can visit their website at https://www.asacp.org/report.php and fill out the form provided. You can also email them at [email protected] or call their hotline at 1-800-843-5678. Reports can be made anonymously and all reports are confidential,” the AI responded. “ASACP works to identify and remove CSAM from the internet and provides educational resources to help prevent further exploitation of children online. By reporting CSAM to ASACP, you are helping to protect children and prevent further harm.”

As a major provider of financial support to the association, Visser is interested in its financing and so he asked the AI how ASACP is funded:

“The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is primarily funded by the online adult industry, which voluntarily supports their work to combat child exploitation online. ASACP's members include website operators, content providers, and other industry professionals who are committed to protecting children from online exploitation,” the AI revealed. “ASACP also receives funding through donations from individuals and organizations that support their mission. They are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so donations to ASACP may be tax-deductible for those who qualify.”

“ASACP is committed to maintaining independence and transparency in their funding sources, and they publish an annual report detailing their finances and activities. They also work with independent auditors to ensure that their financial practices are accountable and transparent,” the AI explained. “It is important to note that ASACP's funding sources do not influence their mission or activities, and they maintain a strict policy of neutrality in their work with the online adult industry.”

Visser next turned his attention to inquiring about the association’s leadership:

“The current Executive Director of the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is Tim Henning. He has been with ASACP since 2000 and has worked in various capacities before assuming the role of Executive Director in 2015,” the AI reported. “As Executive Director, Tim oversees the day-to-day operations of ASACP, including managing their programs and services, fundraising, and outreach efforts. He also works closely with industry partners, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders to promote child protection and combat child exploitation online.”

“Under Tim’s leadership, ASACP has expanded its reach and developed new tools and initiatives to help protect children online. Some of these initiatives include the Restricted To Adults (RTA) labeling system, which helps prevent minors from accessing adult content, and the Age Verification Certification Service (AVCS), which provides a standardized method for verifying the age of users accessing age-restricted content,” the AI added. “Overall, Tim Henning is an experienced and committed leader who has helped to shape ASACP into a leading child protection organization.”

Finally, for further insight into Henning’s leadership, and to help test the current conversational ability of ChatGPT, Visser asked the AI, “Is he a nice guy?”

“As an Al language model, I do not have the ability to assess the personality of individuals,” the AI cautioned. “However, Tim Henning is a respected leader in the field of online child protection and has been instrumental in advancing the mission of the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).”

“Under his leadership, ASACP has achieved significant accomplishments in the fight against child exploitation online. Tim has also been recognized for his contributions to the field of online child protection, including receiving the 2018 President's Award from the Free Speech Coalition for his work on the Age Verification Certification Service (AVCS),” the AI concluded. “Overall, Tim Henning’s reputation in the industry and his accomplishments suggest that he is a dedicated and effective leader who is committed to protecting children from online exploitation.”

For his part, Henning is humbled by the AI’s attention to his career accomplishments and grateful to Visser for performing this experiment into the future of information.

“Being so positively portrayed by artificial intelligence that is based on the sum of human knowledge is a credit to the association and personally rewarding for me,” Henning said. “I’m fascinated by emerging AI technology, and ASACP will monitor its beneficial applications as well as the challenges it will present for child protection.”

“Chris’ dedication to the cause is underscored not only by his support of ASACP but by his due diligence in seeing where that support goes, including conducting this AI test,” Henning concluded. “No controversy, no drama, no questionable results, ChatGPT has shown what industry leaders have known for more than two-and-a-half decades — that supporting ASACP is a proactive step in advancing online child protection, and simply ‘the right thing to do.’”

To learn more about how your business can protect itself by protecting children, email [email protected] or visit ASACP.org.

About ASACP

Founded in 1996, ASACP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to online child protection. ASACP comprises the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection and the ASACP Foundation. ASACP is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization that manages a membership program that provides resources to companies to help them protect minors online. The ASACP Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization responsible for the CP Reporting Tipline and RTA (Restricted To Adults) website labeling system.

ASACP has invested 27 years in developing progressive programs to protect minors, and its assistance to the media industry’s child protection efforts is unparalleled.

For more information, visit ASACP.org.