Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, in collaboration with AARP, unveiled a proposed enquiry that could revolutionise the battle against illegal and unwanted robocalls and texts using the power of artificial intelligence (AI).

The proposal, announced on Monday, October 23, set to be deliberated at the FCC’s public open meeting on November 15, aims to scrutinise the role of AI in combating the ever-evolving menace of robocalls and robotexts under the framework of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. This initiative promises to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight against unsolicited communications.

Rosenworcel said, “AI is a real opportunity for communications to become more efficient, more impactful, and more resilient. While we are aware of the challenges AI can present, there is also significant potential to use this technology to benefit communications networks and their customers, including in the fight against junk robocalls and robotexts. We need to address these opportunities and risks thoughtfully, and the effort we are launching today will help us gain more insight on both fronts.”

The launch of this enquiry is a significant step towards a future where AI technology can be harnessed to create a safer, more efficient, and trustworthy communications landscape. The enquiry seeks to comprehensively understand the benefits and risks associated with AI in the context of combating unwanted communications. By doing so, the FCC aims to find innovative solutions to combat harms, harness the advantages of AI, and ensure the protection of consumers.

Should the FCC adopt this proposal, it will solicit input on several key aspects, including how AI technologies align with the its statutory responsibilities under the TCPA, the potential inclusion of future AI technologies under the TCPA, and the broader impact of AI on existing regulatory frameworks and future policy formulation. The enquiry will also delve into the authenticity verification of AI-generated content from trusted sources and outline the necessary steps to advance this investigation.

AI can be used to make how businesses interact with consumers more efficient. While it can enhance analytics tools used to block unwanted robocalls and robotexts, it can also pose new privacy and safety challenges such as the ability of AI to mimic real human voices, which raises concerns about deception and fraud.