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A robocall is abusing AI software to deepfake President Biden’s voice in an effort to discourage residents in New Hampshire from voting during Tuesday’s presidential primary.
NBC News obtained a recording of the call, which appears to use voice cloning software to fabricate the message. “What a bunch of malarkey,” the robocall first says in Biden’s "voice."
The message then implies that voting during the New Hampshire primary bars citizens from casting ballots during the general election, which is not true.
“It’s important that you save your vote in the November election,” the robocall claims. “We’ll need your help voting Democrats up and down the ticket. Voting this Tuesday only enables the Republicans in their quest to elect Donald Trump again. Your vote makes a difference in November, not this Tuesday.”
Residents began receiving the robocall on Sunday, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s office, which has been telling residents to disregard the message. “Although the voice in the robocall sounds like the voice of President Biden, this message appears to be artificially generated based on initial indications,” says AG John M. Formella.
The robocall has also been spoofed to appear as though it came from the treasurer of a political committee that supports Biden’s re-election campaign. In response, the local election law unit of New Hampshire’s Department of Justice has launched an investigation.
It remains unclear how many people received the robocall, or who is behind the stunt. But security researchers have long been warning that voice-cloning software risks unleashing a wave of AI-powered scams on unsuspecting users. The robocall deepfaking Biden’s voice is now prompting some to call for tighter regulations of AI software.
“This is what happens when AI’s power goes unchecked. If we don’t regulate it, our democracy is doomed,” tweeted consumer advocacy group Public Citizen.
As NBC News notes, Biden's name is not on Tuesday's ballot since Democrats opted to begin their primary season in South Carolina. But local New Hampshire supporters have launched a write-in campaign for Biden for those who want to show their support.