A political consultant, Steven Kramer, is facing a $6 million fine and multiple criminal charges for sending AI-generated robocalls that imitated President Joe Biden's voice before the New Hampshire primary. The calls falsely suggested that voting in the primary would prevent voters from casting ballots in November. Lingo Telecom, the company accused of transmitting the calls, also faces a $2 million fine. Kramer admitted to orchestrating the calls and now faces felony and misdemeanor charges in four counties. The FCC's proposed fines are its first involving generative AI technology. The New Hampshire Attorney General's office will prosecute the case, emphasizing the state's commitment to protecting elections from unlawful interference.

Lingo Telecom strongly disagrees with the FCC's action and claims compliance with all applicable regulations and industry standards. The calls appeared as coming from the personal cellphone number of Kathy Sullivan, a former state Democratic Party chair. She hopes the fines will deter those who don't respect democracy. The FCC has taken steps to combat the use of AI tools in political communication since the New Hampshire robocalls, including the confirmation of a ban on AI voice-cloning tools in robocalls. The FCC has also proposed rules requiring political advertisers to disclose the use of AI-generated content in broadcast ads. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel highlighted the importance of transparency in addressing the unnerving issue of AI-driven calls that can deceive individuals into believing false information.