CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Robocalls generated by artificial intelligence A man faces a $6 million fine and more than 20 criminal charges for imitating President Joe Biden's voice to voters ahead of New Hampshire's presidential primary.
Federal Communications Commission The FCC said the penalty it proposed Thursday against Steven Cramer is its first involving generative AI technology. Ringo Telecom, which allegedly transmitted the calls, faces a $2 million penalty, but both cases could be settled or further negotiated between the parties, the FCC said.
Cramer acknowledged orchestrating the messages sent to thousands of voters two days ago. The nation's first primary election The message was delivered by an AI-generated voice sounding similar to the Democratic president's phrase “what a ridiculous story” and falsely suggested that voting in the primary would prevent voters from voting in November.
Mr. Kramer is charged with 13 felonies for violating a New Hampshire law that prohibits using misleading information to prevent voting. He also faces 13 misdemeanor counts of falsely claiming to be his candidacy through his own actions or those of others. Charges were filed in four counties and will be prosecuted by the state attorney general's office.
Attorney General John Formella said New Hampshire is committed to ensuring the state's elections are “free from unlawful interference.”
What you need to know about the 2024 election
“I am pleased that our federal partners are similarly committed to protecting consumers and voters from harmful robocalls and voter suppression,” said Formella, who was appointed by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu. .
Ringo Telecom said it strongly opposes the FCC's action, which it sees as an attempt to retroactively impose new rules.
“Lingo Telecom takes its regulatory obligations very seriously and is cooperating fully with federal and state agencies to assist in identifying the parties that initiated New Hampshire's robocall campaign.” said. “Lingo Telecom had no involvement in the creation of these calls, and the actions taken by the company complied with all applicable federal regulations and industry standards.”
Kramer, who runs a company that specializes in get-out-the-vote projects, did not respond to an email seeking comment Thursday. He told The Associated Press in February that he wasn't trying to influence the outcome of the election, but rather wanted to influence it. Send a wake-up call About the potential dangers of artificial intelligence when he paid New Orleans Magician $150 to make a recording.
“I may be the bad guy today, but I think we ultimately have a better country and a better democracy because of the things I did with intention,” Cramer said in February.
Voter suppression is punishable by 3 1/2 to 7 years in prison. Impersonating a candidate is punishable by up to one year in prison.
In an interview days after he was publicly identified as the source of the calls, Cramer said he didn't agree that his robocalls suppressed voter turnout and referred to Biden's comments. Won the Democratic primary He has been selected as a write-in candidate by a wide margin. Mr. Cramer worked on ballot access work for fellow Democratic presidential candidate, Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, but said he acted alone.
“I wrestled in college,” said Kramer, who is scheduled to appear in court June 5. “I'm ready to fight. If they want to put me in jail, good luck.” Ta.
Since the New Hampshire robocall scandal, the FCC has taken steps to combat the growing use of artificial intelligence tools in political communications. In February, AI voice cloning tools will be banned in robocalls Under current law, it was introduced Wednesday. suggestion Require political advertisers to disclose when they use generated content artificial intelligence in broadcast advertisements on television and radio.
If adopted, the new rules would add a layer of transparency that many lawmakers and AI experts have called for. Rapidly advancing generative AI tools Produce life-threatening and life-like images, videos, and audio clips Misleading voters in the upcoming US elections.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Thursday that the regulator is committed to helping states pursue perpetrators. She called New Hampshire's robocalls “disturbing” in her statement.
“In the case of a phone call using AI technology, if the caller sounds like a politician you know, a celebrity you like, or a close family member, anyone can be fooled into believing something is not true. “There is a possibility that it will become a problem,'' she said in a statement. “This is exactly how the bad actors behind these nuisance phone calls with manipulated voices want you to react.”
___
Swenson reported from New York.
