Concord, N.H. — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has fined a political consultant $6 million for sending voters AI-generated robocalls imitating President Joe Biden's voice ahead of the New York presidential primary. Hampshire.
Steve Kramer, who also faces two dozen criminal charges in New Hampshire, admitted to orchestrating a message that was sent to thousands of voters two days before the nation's first primary on Jan. 23. The message played an AI-generated Biden-like voice that used his phrase “what a load of nonsense” and falsely suggested that voting in the primary will prevent voters from casting their ballot in November.
Court documents show Kramer faces 13 felony charges alleging he violated a New Hampshire law against attempting to dissuade someone from voting by using misleading information. He also faces 11 misdemeanor charges accusing him of falsely representing himself as a candidate based on his own conduct or that of another person. The charges were filed in four counties but, as is often the case with serious crimes, they will be prosecuted by the state attorney's office.
Kramer did not respond to a request for comment Thursday, but has previously said he was trying to send a wake-up call about the dangers of artificial intelligence.
The FCC also fined Lingo Telecom $2 million for transmitting the calls. A company spokesperson did not return a call Thursday seeking comment.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said regulators are committed to helping states go after perpetrators. In a statement, she called the robocalls “disconcerting.”
“Because when a caller sounds like a politician you know, a celebrity you like, or a family member you're familiar with, any of us could be tricked into believing something that's not true with calls that use technology. of artificial intelligence,” he said in a statement. “This is exactly how those involved behind these so-called garbage with manipulated voices want you to react.”