Deepfake Scandal: Consultant Paid Magician to Create AI-Generated Robocall Impersonating Joe Biden
Longshot Democratic candidate Rep. Dean Phillips distances himself from scandal
Longshot Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., is distancing himself from a scandal involving a deepfake robocall that impersonated President Joe Biden. The scandal emerged after a magician, Paul Carpenter, revealed that he was paid to create the deepfake for $1, allegedly by Democratic consultant Steve Kramer. The deepfake robocall urged New Hampshire voters not to participate in last month’s primary.
Democratic Consultant Under Investigation
According to reports, Paul Carpenter, a magician from New Orleans, was paid $150 by Democratic consultant Steve Kramer to create the deepfake robocall. Carpenter shared text messages, call logs, and Venmo transactions to substantiate his claim. The scandal has now led to a multi-state law enforcement investigation.
Kramer, the consultant implicated in the scandal, has worked with the Phillips campaign as well as with Kanye West’s unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2020.
Phillips Denies Involvement With Deepfake Robocall
Rep. Dean Phillips has expressed his disgust over the scandal and has distanced himself from the alleged involvement. The Phillips campaign has clarified that their relationship with Kramer ended weeks ago after the completion of work related to ballot access.
Phillips wrote, “I’m disgusted that a consultant hired to assist my campaign [with] ballot access is alleged to have faked a robocall impersonating Joe Biden.”
Investigation Launched
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella has announced an investigation into the scandal and the robocalls produced using AI-generated deepfake technology. The calls were transmitted by Life Corp and Lingo Telecom, both based in Texas. The calls were made to mimic the voice of President Biden, discouraging voters from participating in the New Hampshire primary.
Implications of AI-Generated Robocalls
The scandal highlights the ease with which AI can be used to mislead and manipulate. The creation of deepfake robocalls raises concerns about the security of the democratic process and the potential impact on election outcomes.
Carpenter, the magician involved in the scandal, came forward to warn people about the dangers and ease of using AI technology for malicious purposes.
Conclusion
The deepfake scandal involving a consultant, a magician, and a presidential candidate highlights the potential dangers of AI-generated content. The investigation into the robocalls reinforces the need for regulations to ensure the security and integrity of elections in the digital age.
