Consultant fined $7.7m for using AI to fake Biden's voice in robocalls

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday (Sept 26) finalised a US$6 million (S$7.7 million) fine for a political consultant over fake robocalls that mimicked President Joe Biden's voice, urging New Hampshire voters not to vote in that state's Democratic primary. In May, Steven Kramer, a Louisiana Democratic political consultant, was indicted in New Hampshire over calls that appeared to have Biden asking residents not to vote until November. Kramer had worked for Biden's primary challenger, Representative Dean Phillips, who denounced the calls. In January, Kramer told media outlets he paid US$500 to have the calls sent to voters to raise attention to the danger of artificial intelligence in campaigns. The FCC said the calls were generated using an AI-generated deepfake audio recording meant to sound like Biden’s voice. FCC rules prohibit transmission of inaccurate caller ID information. The commission said Kramer will be required to pay the fine within 30 days or the matter will be referred to the Justice Department for collection. Kramer or a spokesperson could not immediately be reached.

Consultant fined $7.7m for using AI to fake Biden's voice in robocalls

Consultant fined $7.7m for using AI to fake Biden's voice in robocalls

Consultant fined $7.7m for using AI to fake Biden's voice in robocalls

Consultant fined $7.7m for using AI to fake Biden's voice in robocalls

Consultant fined $7.7m for using AI to fake Biden's voice in robocalls