Associated Incidents
WASHINGTON, DC --- Francesca Mani, a Westfield High School sophomore who has been advocating for stronger laws surrounding AI-generated pornography, attended President Biden's State of the Union Address Thursday night as the guest of Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07).
Each member of Congress is allowed one guest at the annual address.
Mani learned in October that she was one of several WHS girls who had fallen victim to AI-generated pornography. Instead of remaining silent, she chose to speak out.
Along with her mother, Dorota Mani, Francesca has been talking with legislators to get stronger laws on the books and help prevent other people from becoming victims.
One of the people she reached out to was Congressman Kean, who lives in Westfield. Soon after, he introduced the AI Labeling Act, a bill that aims to ensure people are aware when they are viewing AI-generated content or interacting with an AI chatbot by requiring clear labels and disclosures.
"I am proud of Francesca for speaking up and advocating for women who have been victimized by AI-generated deepfakes," Kean said in a statement Thursday. "Francesca is a leader and a fighter, and I am honored to have her join me as my guest at the State of the Union tonight."
On Friday, Francesca Mani spoke with TAPinto Westfield about the experience.
"It was so cool," Mani said. "When we got there, I actually took a picture with Mike Johnson, the speaker of the house."
Congressman Kean showed Francesca and Dorota around before Francesca went to sit in the house gallery with other guests for the speech.
"It just felt really powerful," Francesca Mani said. "I think I was the only young person there. I sat next to this really sweet lady and she's like, 'How old are you?' I'm like, 'I'm 15,' and she asked, 'Why are you here?' so I explained it to her. It was really cool and everyone was so nice to me."