New Hampshire
New Hampshire AI robocall imitating President Joe Biden traced to Dean Phillips presidential campaign
The Associated Press (AP) and NBC News released exclusives Friday identifying Lousiana magician Paul Carpenter and political consultant Steve Kramer, who was associated with the Dean Phillips presidential campaign, as the parties responsible for a series of robocalls in New Hampshire that used AI to imitate President Joe Biden ahead of the Democratic primary in the state.
According to the AP and NBC News, Carpenter was hired by Kramer, a consultant for the Phillips campaign at the time. Carpenter told the AP he thought Kramer was working for the Biden campaign, alleging that Kramer told him the Biden campaign needed to create the AI phone call to save time and money. Carpenter shared screenshots with the AP and NBC News showing a text from Kramer with the script for the phone call and a Venmo payment, which Carpenter alleged was payment for creating the robocall. Carpenter also showed NBC News and the AP a text from Kramer days after the news of the AI robocall was in the headlines with a link to the news story and the word, “Shhhhhhh.” Carpenter alleged that he called Kramer, who instructed him to “just delete all the emails, act like nothing happened.”
Phillips responded to the revelations on X (formerly known as Twitter), writing:
I’m disgusted that a consultant hired to assist my campaign w/ballot access is alleged to have faked a robocall impersonating Joe Biden. While I don’t know the person, such behavior is despicable and I trust will be investigated by authorities. It’s also despicable that the Party actively limits access to state ballots and blackballs reputable consultants who would otherwise work with challengers like me. The corruption in politics is pervasive and must be exposed and addressed.
Carpenter responded to the release of the AP and NBC News stories by publishing an example of an AI video of Biden that he quickly created to show how easy the process is. Carpenter also responded to criticism on Facebook of his willingness to make the robocall despite its message not to vote, stating:
I was told the recordings were going to be listened to, to show the effectiveness and w[h]ether or not they would be used in the future[.] From what I understood it was all based on a “see if it sounds good” then I wo[k]e up to a text message that says shhhhh 3 days later.
Reports of the AI robocall began circulating on January 22, when the New Hampshire Department of Justice (NHDOJ) released a statement alleging that the call said, “Your vote makes a difference in November, not this Tuesday.” The NHDOJ also claimed the calls “spoofed” or imitated the number of “the treasurer of a political committee that has been supporting the New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Primary write-in efforts for President Biden.”
Then, on February 6, the NHDOJ released an update claiming that the calls were traced to Texas corporations, Life Corporation and Lingo Telecom, which provided phone services to Life Corporation. The NHDOJ issued a cease and desist, document preservation notices and subpoenas to Life Corporation. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also issued a cease and desist order to Lingo Telecom, demanding “the company immediately stop supporting illegal robocall traffic on its networks.”
The New Hampshire AI robocalls have prompted immediate action from both the government and private sectors. On February 9, the FCC issued new guidelines prohibiting the use of AI-generated voices in robocalls. On February 17, leading technology corporations such as Adobe, Amazon, Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI and TikTok announced a voluntary commitment aimed at safeguarding democratic elections from the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence tools.
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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