Federal Communications Commission Head Moves to Study AI Impact on Robocalls

Jessica Rosenworcel, chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission, announced on Monday that she would circulate a plan to assess how artificial intelligence could address illegal robocalls and texts.

The proposed inquiry would look into the strengths and weaknesses of using AI to combat such activities under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the FCC said.

In a press release, Rosenworcel explained that AI has “significant potential” to benefit communications networks and their customers. The inquiry effort would give her agency insight into the technology’s opportunities and risks with regard to robocalls, she added.

If approved by a vote at an open meeting scheduled for mid-November, the inquiry would seek comments on how AI fits with FCC responsibilities under the TCPA and how it affects current regulatory frameworks and future policies. The agency also intends to ask if it should look into authentication methods for legitimately generated AI voice and text content.

According to the FCC, the ability of AI to imitate human voices could pose privacy and safety risks.