A bipartisan group of 26 state attorneys general in the US has urged regulators to impose restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in telemarketing. The attorneys general submitted a joint comment to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to the FCC's Notice of Inquiry (NOI) regarding the implications of AI in telemarketing.

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They emphasized the potential harm that AI telemarketing could inflict on consumers and called for measures to ensure that any future rulemaking does not create loopholes in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)

The use of AI in telemarketing has raised concerns among state attorneys general due to its potential to bypass regulations aimed at protecting consumers from unwanted calls and texts. The FCC's inquiry into the implications of AI in telemarketing, prompted by the rapid advancements in AI technology, has led to this bipartisan effort to address the potential risks associated with AI-assisted telemarketing. The attorneys general are particularly focused on ensuring that AI-generated voices are considered "artificial voices" under the TCPA to prevent the exploitation of any loopholes that may arise from the use of AI in telemarketing.

The recent incident involving AI-generated robocalls impersonating President Biden in New Hampshire has significant implications for the 2024 election. This incident highlights the potential risks associated with the use of AI in consumer communications, including the potential for election interference and voter suppression. The use of AI-generated voices in robocalls raises concerns about the exploitation of loopholes in existing regulations aimed at protecting consumers from unwanted calls and texts. The incident underscores the need for regulatory frameworks to keep pace with technological advancements and prioritize consumer protection.

The President Biden AI call has sparked further fears from lawmakers and experts about the role of generative AI in elections. The deepfake robocall imitating Biden has further highlighted the regulatory challenges posed by AI-generated content in the context of elections. The incident has prompted calls for additional investigations and discussions on how to address the potential risks associated with AI in elections.

The recent initiative by 26 state attorneys general to urge regulators to restrict the use of AI in telemarketing reflects a proactive stance in addressing the potential risks associated with AI-assisted consumer communications. The joint comment submitted to the FCC highlights the need to adapt regulatory frameworks to the evolving landscape of AI technology and its implications for consumer protection. As regulators consider the implications of AI in telemarketing, the input from state attorneys general is likely to influence the development of policies aimed at safeguarding consumers from unwanted AI-generated calls and texts.