Associated Incidents
WESTFIELD, NJ --- Out of adversity comes opportunity, Benjamin Franklin once said, and today, a Westfield teenager is proving the adage once again: Francesca Mani, a Westfield High School sophomore who has been advocating for stronger laws surrounding AI-generated pornography after learning last October that she was one of several WHS girls who had fallen victim to it, has just been named by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in AI.
"Discovering the fake photos last year was a real shock to my trust and sense of safety. Initially, I was stunned, but that feeling quickly transformed into a strong determination to speak out and demand justice, particularly because of the apparent lack of accountability and action from my school administration," Mani said. "I realized that my voice is a powerful tool for standing up not only for myself, but also for others who might feel powerless in similar situations."
After Mani started speaking out about her experience with deepfakes, other girls started writing to her from around the world, saying they had been similarly targeted. Over the past year, Mani and her mother, Dorota, have been traveling around the nation, advocating for changing AI school policies, creating new laws and addressing the disregard of consent.
Among her visits was a trip in March at the invitation of Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) to Washington, D.C., to attend President Biden's State of the Union address.
"Attending the State of the Union Address earlier this year was an absolutely inspiring experience for me, especially as a 14-year-old," Mani said. "We were also invited to the Speaker of the House's reception, which was an incredible opportunity. I met many influential and interesting people there, all of whom were incredibly kind and engaging."
"The highlight of the day, of course, was attending the State of the Union itself. I was seated next to a lady from NASA who shared stories about recent rocket launches and cosmic explorations --- truly mind-blowing. President Biden's speech was very inspiring and touching too," she noted. "Despite the late hour, well past midnight when it ended, and the exhaustion from the excitement and the drive back home (so I wouldn't miss school the next day), I felt invigorated."
"The experience has motivated me to think about how I can contribute to meaningful change in the future, drawing on the inspiration from seeing leaders and changemakers in action," she said.
A Positive Shock
"Being recognized on the TIME 100 AI list was incredibly surprising, almost as much as the incident with the fake photos last year, but thankfully, this was a positive shock," Mani reflected. "This recognition has really affirmed the impact my voice can have, and it's steering my future plans in a new direction. While being included on the list is an honor, it's seeing the tangible progress from my advocacy that truly excites me."
"We couldn't be prouder of Francesca," said her mother, Dorota Mani, founder and operator of the Academy of Excellence Preschool in Jersey City. "Francesca's advocacy is a testament to her integrity and honor, qualities we hold dear."
Francesca "is outspoken and unafraid to stand alone in her convictions, demonstrating the courage to fight for what's right," Dorota Mani said. "From an early age, we have emphasized to our daughters that sometimes it's better to be in the lonely company of one's own conscience than to be surrounded by a crowd lacking in integrity and backbone."
"Francesca's impact is already visible in the legislative arena and the current administration's dedication to AI research, and we are hopeful that it will soon influence the implementation of AI HIB and Code of Conduct policies across the United States," she said. "Her journey underlines the power of standing firm in one's beliefs and the profound effect one individual can have on shaping a fairer society."
Looking to the future, Francesca Mani said she is "drawn to the role of a lobbyist, where I can work behind the scenes. I envision myself meeting on the Capitol, in the Senate and Congressional offices, meeting with representatives and their teams, engaging in meaningful conversations about what needs to be done and how," she said. "This quiet but effective approach lets politicians be the public face of the initiatives I support, while I focus on the substance of policy and advocacy."
Reflecting on the past several months, "It's crazy to think that, just last year, I had no idea what a lobbyist even was. Now, here I am, on the brink of choosing my major in college based on that," Mani said.
"But that's not all. This November, alongside Senators Ted Cruz and Amy Klobuchar, we're organizing a summit in D.C. that aims to urge school board members across America to immediately update their school AI policies, to educate and to prevent abuse, a cause I'm fiercely passionate about," she said. "We're sending invitations to all major districts in the U.S., and I'm confident that the board members will do the right thing to protect the students in their districts."