Impostor used AI to pose as Marco Rubio, contact ministers. How it worked
An individual used an AI-generated voice to impersonate US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and contacted three foreign ministers, a US governor, and a member of Congress in June, according to a diplomatic cable reported by Reuters. The impersonator used the encrypted messaging app Signal to send text messages and leave voicemails, attempting to lure officials into conversations under the false pretense of being the top US diplomat. The account, created in mid-June under the display name marco.rubio@state.gov.
The Key points
- Incident: US Senator Marco Rubio revealed that an AI-generated impersonator used his identity to contact at least one foreign minister through the encrypted messaging app Signal.
- Rubio’s Statement: Rubio, who is vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said a deepfake audio or video version of him reached out to a foreign official pretending to be him.
- Security Risk: The incident underscores growing concerns about AI deepfakes being used to manipulate or deceive world leaders, especially with rising tensions globally.
- US Warning: American officials are increasingly warning about the potential misuse of AI to interfere in elections or diplomatic communications.
- Example of Threat: Rubio said he had not personally spoken to the foreign minister who received the AI message but confirmed that the contact attempt was credible and sophisticated.
- Broader Context: The US government has previously highlighted how AI can generate fake voices and videos, making it harder to detect impersonations.
- Call for Awareness: Rubio emphasized that officials worldwide need to be aware that AI impersonations are now a real threat that can be used for misinformation or diplomatic sabotage.
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