A Democratic political consultant, Steve Kramer, is facing criminal charges for sending AI-generated robocalls impersonating President Biden ahead of the 2024 New Hampshire primary. The calls urged voters not to participate in the primary, resulting in fines proposed by the FCC, the first involving AI technology. Over 5,000 voters received the fake calls, allegedly orchestrated by Kramer, who admitted to the stunt as a way to regulate AI technology. Kramer, who worked on political campaigns for figures like Rep. Dean Phillips and Kanye West, has been hit with 24 criminal charges and a $6 million fine.
The robocalls were traced back to Life Corp. in Texas, with Lingo Telecom transmitting the calls. Both companies face fines, while Kramer is facing felony and misdemeanor charges for violating New Hampshire voting laws. The fake calls featured a deepfake voice mimicking President Biden, urging voters to save their votes for the general election. Kathy Sullivan, former chair of the NH Democratic Party, was falsely attributed as the caller ID.
The incident has brought attention to the misuse of AI technology and the need for regulation. Kramer’s associate, magician Paul Carpenter, admitted to creating the deepfake for a small fee, but denies any involvement in distributing the calls. The scandal has prompted an investigation by the NH Attorney General’s office, leading to scrutiny of companies involved in the robocall campaign. The defendants have stated their cooperation with authorities and disputes the FCC’s action, calling it an attempt to impose rules retroactively.
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