AI-Biden Robocall Consultant Fined $6M, Facing Criminal Charges
TL/DR –
Political consultant Steven Kramer is facing a $6 million fine and multiple criminal charges after using AI-generated robocalls imitating President Joe Biden’s voice to misinform voters ahead of New Hampshire’s presidential primary. The company that transmitted these calls, Lingo Telecom, may receive a $2 million fine. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has since introduced a proposal requiring political advertisers to disclose when they use AI-generated content and has confirmed AI voice-cloning tools in robocalls are banned under existing law.
Political Consultant Faces Charges for AI-Generated Robocalls
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a $6 million fine against Steven Kramer, a political consultant, for using artificial intelligence-generated robocalls that imitated President Joe Biden’s voice in the lead-up to New Hampshire’s presidential primary. This is the FCC’s first case involving generative AI technology. Lingo Telecom, the company accused of transmitting the calls, could be fined $2 million.
Kramer dispatched an AI-created message that mimicked Biden’s voice to thousands of voters two days before the first-in-the-nation primary on Jan. 23. The message falsely suggested that voting in the primary would hinder voters from participating in the November elections.
The consultant is now facing multiple criminal charges, including thirteen felony charges for violating a New Hampshire law against voter deterrence through misinformation, as well as thirteen misdemeanor charges for falsely portraying himself as a candidate.
New Hampshire’s Attorney General John Formella commented on the state’s commitment to protect elections from illegal interference. He also commended federal partners for their dedication to defending consumers and voters from harmful robocalls and voter suppression.
In response to the FCC’s action, Lingo Telecom defended itself, stating that it was not involved in the production of the calls and that its actions complied with all applicable federal regulations and industry standards.
The source of the robocalls falsely displayed as the personal cellphone of Kathy Sullivan, a former state Democratic Party chair. Sullivan expressed her hope that this incident would discourage others from trying to manipulate elections.
Kramer, who owns a firm specializing in voter mobilization projects, paid a magician $150 to create the AI-generated recording. He stated that the aim of his action was not to manipulate the election outcome but to highlight the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.
Following the New Hampshire robocalls incident, the FCC has proposed new measures to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in political communications. If adopted, these new rules would require political advertisers to disclose when they use content generated by artificial intelligence in broadcast television and radio ads.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel commented that the computed-generated calls were unsettling and emphasized the commitment of regulators to support states in tackling such frauds.
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