AI-powered robocalls surge ahead of the 2024 election

The rise of AI-powered political robocalls and robotexts presents a growing challenge to electoral integrity and telecommunications security in the United States, with recent incidents highlighting the sophisticated nature of these threats.

Current landscape: Political robocall traffic has seen a significant uptick in the lead-up to the 2024 US Presidential Election, with AI-generated deepfakes emerging as a particular concern.

• The first two weeks of October 2024 witnessed a surge in political robocall activity across the United States
• During the New Hampshire primary, deepfake audio calls mimicking President Biden demonstrated the tangible threat of AI-powered disinformation
• Public polling shows 70% of Americans are concerned about AI deepfake robocalls, while 64% believe these calls could influence the 2024 election outcome

Technological evolution: The accessibility of advanced AI tools has transformed the nature of robocall threats beyond traditional scams.

• Modern AI technology can create highly convincing voice clones that accurately mimic political figures
• The FCC has responded by declaring non-consensual AI-generated robocalls illegal
• Traditional anti-robocall measures like STIR/SHAKEN are no longer sufficient to address these sophisticated threats

Counter measures: Telecommunications carriers are implementing AI-powered solutions to combat these evolving threats.

• Voice biometrics technology can identify synthetic voices in real-time
• Predictive call analytics help carriers detect and block malicious calls before they reach consumers
• AI-powered SMS detection systems work to prevent automated scam text messages

Public education priorities: Carriers and regulators are focusing on subscriber awareness and education.

• 77% of Americans support increased public education about political AI deepfakes
• Common scams include fake voter registration, fraudulent fundraising requests, and false claims about phone voting
• Battleground states face disproportionate targeting by political robocalls

Best practices for consumers: Key protective measures have been identified to help the public avoid robocall scams.

• Verify election information through official government websites and trusted sources
• Be aware that modern AI can create extremely convincing voice clones
• Stay informed about emerging scam patterns and techniques

Future considerations: The evolving nature of political robocalls requires continued vigilance and adaptation.

• Network interconnectivity challenges, particularly for smaller carriers, need addressing
• Ongoing collaboration between operators, regulators, and technology innovators remains crucial
• The threat of political robocalls is expected to persist beyond Election Day

Looking ahead: While technological solutions offer promise in combating AI-powered robocalls, the rapidly evolving nature of these threats suggests a need for continuous adaptation of security measures and regulatory frameworks, particularly as AI technology becomes more sophisticated.