What's happened
Democratic consultant Steven Kramer and magician Paul Carpenter collaborated to send AI-generated robocalls impersonating President Biden to New Hampshire voters, sparking outrage and legal scrutiny. Kramer faces potential legal repercussions for the deceptive calls, which were condemned by lawmakers and triggered investigations. Carpenter, hired by Kramer, created the AI imitation of Biden's voice, highlighting the misuse of technology in political campaigns.
Why it matters
The revelation of a Democratic consultant and a magician collaborating to send deceptive robocalls impersonating President Biden underscores the unethical use of technology in politics. This event has significant implications for election integrity, highlighting the need for regulations to prevent the misuse of AI in influencing voters. The legal repercussions faced by the individuals involved serve as a warning against deceptive campaign tactics and emphasize the importance of transparency and accountability in political communications.
What the papers say
NBC News first reported the involvement of Steven Kramer and Paul Carpenter in creating the AI-generated robocalls impersonating President Biden. While Kramer expressed concern about the dangerous use cases of AI in politics, Carpenter claimed he had no malicious intent and was unaware of how the audio would be distributed. The differing perspectives of the consultant and the magician shed light on the ethical considerations and potential legal consequences of their actions.
How we got here
The use of AI-generated voices in robocalls to influence voters in the New Hampshire primary election raised concerns about voter suppression and deceptive campaign tactics. Steven Kramer, a Democratic consultant, and Paul Carpenter, a magician, collaborated to create the AI imitation of President Biden's voice, leading to investigations and legal scrutiny. The incident highlights the evolving landscape of political communication and the challenges posed by emerging technologies in election campaigns.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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