In an unprecedented move, New Hampshire voters faced a disturbing attempt at voter suppression through AI-generated robocalls, mimicking the voice of President Joe Biden. The deceptive calls urged recipients not to vote in Tuesday’s primary, sparking investigations by the New Hampshire attorney general’s office. Let’s delve into its impact on the 2025 US elections.
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Unlawful Voter Suppression Attempt
The New Hampshire attorney general’s office is actively investigating a series of robocalls impersonating President Biden. These calls falsely claimed that voting in the primary would benefit Republicans and encouraged voters to save their votes for the November election. The state officials label this as an “unlawful attempt” at disrupting the primary and suppressing voter turnout.
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Caller ID Deception Raises Concerns
The investigation gained momentum when a prominent New Hampshire Democrat, Kathy Sullivan, discovered that her personal cellphone number appeared on the caller ID screens of those receiving the calls. The deceptive robocall aimed to link the suppression effort directly to Sullivan, who is actively supporting a write-in campaign for Biden in the primary.
The Impact on Democratic Processes
The Biden campaign and other political figures condemned the AI-driven disinformation, terming it a threat to the democratic process. Campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez expressed the campaign’s commitment to fighting back against attempts to undermine democracy, emphasizing the urgent need to address the use of AI in political misinformation.
AI Deepfakes and the 2025 Election Landscape
The robocalls, generated by artificial intelligence, mark a concerning trend in the potential misuse of deepfake technology during the 2024 election. Experts warn that the use of generative AI, as witnessed in this incident, could sow confusion and perpetuate electoral fraud. The calls are indicative of a broader challenge posed by AI in influencing public opinion and manipulating elections.
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Our Say
The disturbing use of AI-generated robocalls to impersonate political figures raises critical concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. As technology continues to advance, it becomes imperative for lawmakers to address the potential misuse of AI in campaigns. Safeguarding the democratic process requires swift action to regulate and counter the impact of such deceptive practices.
The attempted voter suppression in New Hampshire reminds us that technological advancements bring both innovation and challenges to the political landscape. As we navigate the complexities of the digital age, preserving the sanctity of elections becomes paramount. This necessitates proactive measures against the misuse of AI in shaping public opinion.
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Sabreena Basheer is an architect-turned-writer who's passionate about documenting anything that interests her. She's currently exploring the world of AI and Data Science as a Content Manager at Analytics Vidhya.
