AI-generated voices in robocalls can deceive voters. The FCC just made them illegal

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Communications Commission is outlawing robocalls that contain voices generated by artificial intelligence. The decision sends a clear message that exploiting the technology to scam people and mislead voters won’t be tolerated. Thursday’s (Feb. 8, 2024) unanimous ruling targets robocalls made with AI voice-cloning tools under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. That 1991 law restricts junk calls that use artificial and prerecorded voice messages. The FCC’s announcement comes as New Hampshire authorities are advancing their investigation into AI-generated robocalls that mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice to discourage people from voting in the state’s first-in-the-nation primary last month.