Steve Kramer, a political consultant, recently came forward as the source behind a robocall that mimicked President Joe Biden’s voice in an effort to raise awareness about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence. The call falsely suggested that voting in the New Hampshire primary would prevent voters from casting a ballot in November. Although authorities are investigating the calls for potential violations of voter suppression laws, Kramer maintains that his intention was to highlight the dangers of AI rather than influence the primary outcome.
Kramer, who has extensive experience working on political campaigns, expressed concern about the increasing use of AI in harmful ways by campaigns, super PACs, and others. Frustrated with the slow pace of regulation, he decided to take matters into his own hands by creating the robocall. He paid a New Orleans street magician to create the recorded message, which was transmitted to thousands of voters just before the primary. Despite facing backlash for his actions, Kramer believes that his deliberate approach has ultimately contributed to a better democracy.
The robocall controversy has sparked discussions about the use of sophisticated generative AI tools in elections, which can lead to the rapid spread of misinformation. While bipartisan efforts in Congress have aimed to regulate AI in political campaigns, no federal legislation has been passed yet. Following the New Hampshire robocalls, the FCC has banned robocalls containing AI-generated voices, and major tech companies have adopted precautions to prevent the disruptive use of AI tools in elections.
Kramer estimates that he spent around $500 to generate $5 million worth of media coverage through the robocall incident. Despite potential legal repercussions, he is committed to advocating for immediate action across regulatory bodies and social platforms to address the misuse of AI in elections. He emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in the use of AI technology and hopes to see further safeguards implemented to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
While Kramer has faced scrutiny for his actions, he remains steadfast in his belief that he did the right thing by bringing attention to the risks associated with AI in political campaigns. He has expressed a willingness to cooperate with investigators and regulatory authorities, despite the potential consequences. As discussions about AI regulation continue to evolve, Kramer’s robocall incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical standards and transparency in the use of emerging technologies in the political sphere.
