Artificial Intelligence Scam Prevention

Summary#

This bill, the Artificial Intelligence Scam Prevention Act, makes it illegal to impersonate a person, business, or government official to commit fraud. It bars using or sharing AI to copy someone’s voice or image with intent to defraud. The bill gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to enforce these rules as unfair or deceptive acts.

The bill also updates telemarketing and communications laws. It expands definitions to cover text messages and video conference calls, and defines text messages to include SMS, MMS, and RCS. It adds a definition of "artificial or prerecorded voice" to include speech generated by machines or AI that appears to be a real person. Calls or texts that use an automatic dialing system or AI to emulate a human must disclose at the start that those technologies are being used. The Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act is amended to require prompt, clear disclosure when AI is used to emulate a human in a phone call or text.

The bill directs the FTC to update its public web portal on AI-enabled scams and to improve complaint logging and sharing with law enforcement. It creates an FTC–FCC Artificial Intelligence Scams Advisory Group with federal officials and representatives from affected industries to develop model educational materials and best practices. The Advisory Group must report annually to Congress and will end after five years. The FTC must also report to Congress within 180 days and annually on the number and types of AI-enabled scams and policy recommendations. The bill makes changes to robocall reporting and requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue implementing regulations within 270 days.

What it means for you#

• If you use AI to copy a person’s voice or image to try to trick or steal from someone, that conduct would be unlawful under this bill.
• Businesses or callers that use AI to sound like a human must clearly say at the start of the call or text that AI or an automated system is being used.
• The FTC will have expanded powers to enforce these rules and will collect and share more complaint information about AI-enabled scams.
• Retailers, financial services, and wire-transfer companies may receive model training materials and guidance from the new Advisory Group to help their employees spot AI-enabled scams.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

Supporters say AI is making scams more convincing and easier to carry out, such as by cloning voices from short samples and public information. The bill is intended to update rules, give enforcement authority to the FTC, require clear AI disclosures in calls and texts, improve public information and complaint reporting, and create an advisory group to produce training and best practices to protect consumers, especially seniors.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.