U.S. Lawmakers Seek to Curb AI-Generated Robocalls in the Face of Election Interference
Democratic Activist Calls for Prosecution of Robocall Mimicking Biden’s Voice
In 2024, the New Hampshire Democratic Party found itself embroiled in a controversy surrounding a robocall that mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice and encouraged Democrats not to participate in the upcoming primary election. The call sparked outrage among party members and prompted calls for legal action against those responsible.
Kathy Sullivan, a prominent Democrat and former state party chair, expressed her indignation at the robocall, describing it as an “attack on democracy” and demanded prosecution to the fullest extent against those responsible. She emphasized the need to identify the individuals behind the call and determine their motives.
Attorney General Warns Voters to Disregard Call, Investigation Launched
The New Hampshire attorney general, John Formella, promptly initiated an investigation into the matter and urged voters to disregard the contents of the robocall. The call, which used phrases characteristic of President Biden, attempted to persuade Democrats to save their votes for the November election and not participate in the Tuesday primary.
Recording of the Robocall Reveals Sophisticated Manipulation Tactics
An audio recording of the robocall obtained by NBC News revealed the extent of the manipulation employed. The voice began with the phrase “What a bunch of malarkey,” a term often associated with President Biden, and proceeded to emphasize the importance of voting Democratic in November. It warned that voting in the Tuesday primary would only benefit the Republicans and their efforts to re-elect Donald Trump.
Granite for America Leader Becomes Target of Robocall
The robocall specifically mentioned Kathy Sullivan’s phone number, linking it to the supposed message from President Biden. Sullivan, who chairs Granite for America, a Super Pac supporting Biden’s write-in candidacy, became the target of the misinformation campaign.
Political Motivations Suspected
Sullivan expressed her belief that the robocall was intended to harm Joe Biden’s campaign and disrupt the democratic process. She highlighted the fact that the call linked back to her personal phone number without her permission, constituting election interference and harassment.
Minnesota Congressman’s Spokesperson Condemns Voter Discouragement
Dean Phillips, a Minnesota congressman running for the Democratic nomination, also denounced the robocall. His spokesperson described any attempt to discourage voters as disgraceful and an affront to democracy. The spokesperson expressed concerns about the potential use of AI to manipulate voters, particularly in an era where misinformation is prevalent.
OpenAI Bans Developer Behind AI-Generated Phillips Bot
In a related development, OpenAI, the creator of the ChatGPT artificial intelligence tool, announced that it had banned the developer behind a bot that impersonated Dean Phillips. The bot was commissioned by a Super Pac supporting Phillips’ candidacy. OpenAI’s decision to ban the developer was based on a violation of its API usage policies, which prohibit political campaigning and impersonation without consent.
Biden Campaign and Trump Campaign Deny Involvement
The Biden campaign declined to comment on the New Hampshire robocall, while a Trump campaign spokesperson denied any involvement.
Calls for Regulation of AI in Campaign Ads Grow Louder
The spate of incidents involving AI-generated robocalls and bots has intensified calls for federal regulation of such technology in political campaigns. Advocacy groups, academics, and politicians have raised concerns about the potential for AI to sow chaos during elections, especially given the susceptibility of voters to misinformation.
Public Citizen Petitions FEC to Take Action
Public Citizen, an advocacy group, filed a petition urging the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to regulate the use of AI in campaign ads. The group expressed concerns that AI could be used to create deepfakes, or manipulated videos or audio recordings, that could deceive voters and undermine trust in the electoral process.
FEC Acknowledges Need for Regulation, but Action Delayed
In response to the petition, the FEC chair, Sean Cooksey, acknowledged the need for regulation but indicated that the agency would not address the issue until early summer, well into the campaign season. This delay drew criticism from Public Citizen, which accused the FEC of “slow-walking” the issue and called on Congress to intervene.
State Legislators Take Action to Address AI-Generated Robocalls
In the absence of federal action, some state lawmakers have taken steps to address the practice of AI-generated robocalls. Bills have been filed in various states to regulate the use of AI and prevent its misuse in political campaigns.
Conclusion
The use of AI-generated robocalls and bots in political campaigns has emerged as a significant concern, prompting calls for regulation at both the federal and state levels. As technology continues to advance, policymakers face the challenge of balancing innovation with the need to protect the integrity of the electoral process.