FCC proposes consumer protections for AI-generated robocalls

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed a first-of-their-kind ruling on AI-generated robocalls and robotexts. With 72% of consumers worrying daily about being fooled by deepfakes, this proposed ruling may help to lessen consumer concerns and reduce the spread of disinformation. With the election season upcoming, such a ruling may support voters in making informed, confident decisions, as the ruling would mandate disclosure when AI is utilized in political ads. 

Nicky Watson, Founder of Cassie, comments, “Hiding the use of AI in political campaigns isn’t just dishonest, it’s dangerous. Recent data found that 61% of voters weren’t sure if they’ve spotted AI being used in political campaigns this year. With voters already struggling to discern what’s real from what’s not, it’s critical for political campaigns to be transparent about their use of AI, disclosing to voters how these tools are being used. It shouldn’t be up to the average viewer to determine a fabricated political message from an earnest one. 

The reality is, most (81%) of voters believe AI is a threat to election security. With a general public already wary of technology’s impact on the United States’ election, political campaigns should be spearheading a new wave of transparency. Building a relationship between politician and citizen can’t start out with faulty advertising — voters want the truth.”