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The Federal Communications Commission is making it illegal for robocalls to use AI-generated voices. The ruling, issued on Thursday<\/a>, gives state attorneys general the ability to take action against callers using AI voice cloning tech.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As outlined in the ruling<\/a>, AI-generated voices are now considered \u201can artificial or prerecorded voice\u201d under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This restricts callers from using AI-generated voices for non-emergency purposes or without prior consent. The TCPA includes bans on a variety of automated call practices, including using an \u201cartificial or prerecorded voice\u201d to deliver messages, but it wasn\u2019t explicitly stated whether this included AI-powered voice cloning. The new ruling clarifies that these recordings should indeed fall under the law\u2019s scope.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cBad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters,\u201d FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement. \u201cState Attorneys General will now have new tools to crack down on these scams and ensure the public is protected from fraud and misinformation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Although state attorneys general could already go after the bad actors behind robocalls based on the scam or fraud they\u2019re perpetrating, this new ruling gives them the power to hold scam artists accountable solely because they\u2019re using an AI-generated voice. The FCC first proposed banning<\/a> the use of AI voices in robocalls last month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Scrutiny of AI voices in robocalls has ramped up in recent weeks. In January, some New Hampshire residents received<\/a> a call that appeared to use AI to impersonate President Joe Biden\u2019s voice, and it told them not to show up at the polls for the state\u2019s presidential primary. An investigation<\/a> has since linked the robocall to two Texas-based companies: Life Corporation and Lingo Telecom. The FCC issued a cease-and-desist<\/a> order to Lingo Telecom, which transmitted the call.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n