How the FCC may be forced to grapple with AI, too

The Federal Communications Commission — which has jurisdiction over radio, television, cable, and satellites —  isn’t best known for grappling with cutting-edge technology. But amid the rise of generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, the communications regulator may be forced to tackle artificial intelligence, an area that’s beginning to intersect with communications infrastructure and airwaves. A pressing concern is the skyrocketing rates of robocalls, leading to several FCC actions as the agency seeks to cut down scams against consumers. AI can make robocall operations much cheaper because the technology can automate dialing, talking, and responding, according to former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler. Nicol Turner Lee, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said robocalls could open Pandora’s box of possibilities for consumer deception, especially for elderly Americans. Wheeler added voter manipulation as a related area of concern, where an AI-cloned voice could direct an individual on an Election Day to an incorrect location to cast their vote. A former FCC senior official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak candidly, said there are a number of related concerns triggered by AI in areas with FCC jurisdiction.