Fact Check: "Kramer admitted to using AI to mimic Biden's voice in robocalls."
What We Know
Steven Kramer, a political consultant, was involved in a controversial case regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create robocalls that mimicked the voice of former President Joe Biden. According to reports, Kramer orchestrated a campaign that sent out thousands of robocalls to New Hampshire voters just days before the state's presidential primary in January 2024. The calls featured an AI-generated voice that closely resembled Biden's, using phrases like "What a bunch of malarkey" and suggesting that voters should save their votes for the November election instead of participating in the primary (AP News, Washington Post).
Kramer admitted to hiring a magician to create the AI-generated voice recording, which he claimed was intended as a "wake-up call" about the dangers of AI in political campaigning (AP News). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a $6 million fine against Kramer for his role in this illegal robocall campaign (FCC, NPR).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Kramer used AI to mimic Biden's voice in robocalls is robust. Multiple reputable sources confirm that Kramer orchestrated the robocall campaign using AI technology. The calls were designed to mislead voters about the primary election, which prosecutors argued undermined the electoral process (AP News, Washington Post).
Kramer's defense during the trial focused on the argument that the primary was not a legitimate election due to its unsanctioned status by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which he claimed rendered voter suppression laws inapplicable. However, the jury ultimately acquitted him of the charges, indicating a complex legal interpretation of the events (AP News, NPR).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident is high. The Associated Press and NPR are well-established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. The FCC's documentation also provides a formal basis for the claims regarding the proposed fines (FCC).
Conclusion
The claim that "Kramer admitted to using AI to mimic Biden's voice in robocalls" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that Kramer did indeed orchestrate a campaign utilizing AI technology to create robocalls that imitated Biden's voice, leading to significant legal repercussions.
Sources
- FCC proposes $6 million fine for illegal robocalls that used ...
- Consultant acquitted of AI robocall voter suppression charges
- New Hampshire jury acquits consultant behind AI robocalls ...
- Criminal charges and FCC fines issued for deepfake Biden ...
- Steve Kramer, who sent AI robocalls mimicking Biden ...
- Man accused of sending AI robocalls to NH primary voters ...
