Overview
- Attorneys for Elon Musk’s xAI and Minnesota argued a motion for a preliminary injunction on Wednesday, August 19, over a law that went into effect on Aug. 1 and remains enforceable while the case proceeds.
- Minnesota’s law makes it illegal for AI tools to generate photos or videos that make identifiable people appear nude, allows civil suits by victims, and imposes civil fines up to $500,000 for each unlawful use.
- xAI says the statute is an overbroad, content-based restriction that would bar protected uses such as consensual, artistic, educational or parody images and has asked the court to pause enforcement while the constitutional challenge continues.
- State lawyers and lawmakers argue the law is narrowly tailored to stop widespread harm from nonconsensual deepfakes, cite survivor testimony about real damage, and say platform policies have not prevented the flood of abusive images.
- The court’s ruling will shape whether states may regulate AI toolmakers directly, could influence federal policy and litigation, and may prompt further legislative or judicial battles over how to balance free speech and victim protections.