FCC Outlaws Robocalls Produced by AI

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took swift action and banned AI-generated robocalls in response to growing worries about consumer fraud and electoral disinformation. The action follows a troubling episode from last month in which a fake caller posing as President Biden advised voters in New Hampshire to stay at home.

Invoking a long-standing statute intended to combat unsolicited phone solicitations, the FCC unanimously enacted a ruling today specifically designating AI-generated spam calls as unlawful. This ruling greatly strengthens state legal authorities’ ability to pursue cases against those who perpetrate unwanted robocalls.

Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of the FCC underlined the importance of the issue, saying, “It seems like something from the far-off future, but it is already here.” She brought attention to the evil applications of AI-generated voices, which include posing as celebrities, misleading voters, and extorting vulnerable people.

Concern has been raised by the growth of AI technology, especially in the area of voice and picture replication. The recent event, in which hundreds of voters received phony robocalls claiming to be from President Biden, emphasizes how urgent it is to fix this problem

. A Texas-based business is the focus of a current criminal investigation by state officials, who think it is responsible for the misleading calls.

Artificial intelligence has also been used to create deepfake commercials and videos, including unapproved footage with Taylor Swift and Tom Hanks. Congress has not acted quickly on requests for federal legislation to combat AI deepfakes in political advertising. Nonetheless, a number of jurisdictions have acted quickly and passed legislation limiting the use of AI in political advertisements.

An important first step in stopping dishonest tactics and preserving the integrity of elections and public discourse is the FCC’s prohibition on AI-generated robocalls. Regulatory actions will probably always be crucial in reducing the growing risks posed by AI-driven misinformation campaigns as long as technology keeps developing.