Steve Kramer, the political consultant behind the fake robocall impersonating President Biden ahead of the New Hampshire Democratic primary, has been indicted on 26 charges in the state. These charges include 13 felony counts of voter suppression and bribery and 13 counts of impersonation of a candidate in multiple state jurisdictions. In addition, Kramer was fined $6 million by the Federal Communications Commission for the illegal robocalls. The call, in which a voice that sounded like Mr. Biden’s urged Democratic voters to save their vote for the November general election, was the first instance of “deepfake” technology being used in a U.S. election.
Kramer defended his actions in an interview, stating that he wanted to draw attention to the need for federal and state regulation on the use of artificial intelligence in politics. He claimed that he spent $500 to create the fake Biden voice and targeted about 5,000 people with the robocall. Kramer’s goal was to spark a conversation about regulation, not to gain fame or recognition. Following the incident, the FCC ruled AI-generated voices in robocalls illegal and fined Lingo Telecom, the provider of the calls, $2 million for violating caller ID authentication rules. A magician from New Orleans claimed he created the robocall in less than 20 minutes and for only $1, further highlighting the ease and affordability of such deceptive practices.
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella expressed hope that the indictments against Kramer would serve as a deterrent to others considering interfering with elections using artificial intelligence or other means. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and preventing outside influences from swaying or suppressing voter participation. Congressman Dean Phillips, who was primarying Mr. Biden for the Democratic nomination, distanced himself from the robocall, stating that the campaign had no involvement in its creation. Phillips’ campaign spokesperson denounced Kramer’s actions and clarified that he was not associated with the call.
The use of generative AI in political campaigns poses a significant threat, as evident from the actions of Steve Kramer and others. The manipulation of audio and video content can mislead voters and undermine the democratic process. U.S. intelligence agencies have warned about the dangers of AI technology being utilized for deceptive purposes heading into the November elections. The incidents involving fake robocalls highlight the urgent need for regulations to prevent such malicious activities and protect the integrity of elections.
While Kramer believed he was raising awareness about the lack of regulations surrounding AI in politics, his actions ultimately led to legal consequences and financial penalties. The FCC’s ruling on AI-generated voices in robocalls and the fines imposed on those involved in the scheme demonstrate a commitment to preventing future instances of voter suppression and deceptive campaigning tactics. As the 2024 election approaches, the government, technology companies, and policymakers must work together to establish safeguards against the misuse of artificial intelligence in the electoral process and uphold the principles of transparency and fairness in democracy.
