Posted inAI

Man found not guilty in AI robocall trial

Man found not guilty in AI robocall trial


MARIA WILSON, WMUR NEWS NINE. THE MAN ACCUSED OF USING. I ROBOCALLS TO SUPPRESS VOTES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE’S 2024 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY. ACQUITTED BY A JURY ON ALL COUNTS. STEPHEN KRAMER ADMITTED TO SENDING OUT THE CALLS THAT MIMICKED FORMER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, TELLING PEOPLE TO SAVE THEIR VOTE FOR NOVEMBER. HE TOLD NEWS NINE HE SET THIS ALL UP AS A WARNING ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CHARGED WITH VOTER SUPPRESSION AND IMPERSONATING A CANDIDATE. KRAMER TESTIFIED THAT HE TARGETED THE CALLS AT NEW

Man found not guilty on all counts at trial over AI robocalls sent to New Hampshire primary voters

WMUR logo

Updated: 8:01 PM EDT Jun 13, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

A political consultant was found not guilty Friday at the trial held regarding AI-generated robocalls sent to New Hampshire voters before the 2024 presidential primary. Steven Kramer, who admitted to sending out the calls that mimicked former President Joe Biden telling people to save their vote for November, was found not guilty on all counts at his trial. He had been charged with voter suppression and impersonating a candidate. “We thank the jury for their service. Our commitment to enforcing election laws remains steadfast. We will continue to work diligently to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to protect the integrity of our elections. I thank the trial team for their work on this case,” New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said in a statement. In a previous interview with News 9, Kramer said he set the calls up as a warning about AI. In his testimony Wednesday, he said he picked New Hampshire because of the media attention before the primary.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<“I knew that by not spending much money, having no experience at all with artificial intelligence, and then releasing it at a time two days before the primary, or I should say the ‘preference event,’ that would be something that would get people’s attention,” Kramer said.When asked whether he believes he committed a crime, Kramer said he’s positive he did not.”It’s easy to remember the truth, and that’s one of the reasons I’m here today,” he said.Kramer’s defense team argued the primary was meaningless because it was not sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee.Officials said the $6 million civil penalty imposed by the Federal Communications Commission after the robocalls were sent still stands, despite the verdict. >> Subscribe to WMUR’s YouTube channel <<>> Previous coverage of this story:June 11, 2025: Man accused of sending AI robocalls to New Hampshire primary voters testifies at trial June 10, 2025: Secretary of State Scanlan testifies in trial of man accused of using AI robocalls to influence primary June 9, 2025: NH Democratic Party chair takes stand at trial of man charged in AI robocall case June 6, 2025: Man behind AI-generated robocalls mimicking Joe Biden goes on trial in New HampshireMarch 30, 2025: Federal lawsuit moves forward against man who admitted to sending AI-generated robocallsSept. 26, 2024: FCC fines political consultant $6 million for AI-generated robocalls targeting NH votersAug. 21, 2024: FCC announces settlement against provider linked to fake Biden robocallsJuly 28, 2024: Justice Department defends group’s right to sue over AI robocalls sent to New Hampshire voterJune 5, 2024: Louisiana man indicted for AI robocalls appears in New Hampshire courtMay 23, 2024: Political consultant indicted for AI robocalls with fake Biden voice made to New Hampshire votersMarch 14, 2024: New Hampshire League of Women Voters files lawsuit over AI robocallsFeb. 28, 2024: Man says he was behind AI robocalls impersonating Joe Biden before New Hampshire primary

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

A political consultant was found not guilty Friday at the trial held regarding AI-generated robocalls sent to New Hampshire voters before the 2024 presidential primary.

Steven Kramer, who admitted to sending out the calls that mimicked former President Joe Biden telling people to save their vote for November, was found not guilty on all counts at his trial. He had been charged with voter suppression and impersonating a candidate.

“We thank the jury for their service. Our commitment to enforcing election laws remains steadfast. We will continue to work diligently to address the challenges posed by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to protect the integrity of our elections. I thank the trial team for their work on this case,” New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said in a statement.

In a previous interview with News 9, Kramer said he set the calls up as a warning about AI. In his testimony Wednesday, he said he picked New Hampshire because of the media attention before the primary.

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<

“I knew that by not spending much money, having no experience at all with artificial intelligence, and then releasing it at a time two days before the primary, or I should say the ‘preference event,’ that would be something that would get people’s attention,” Kramer said.

When asked whether he believes he committed a crime, Kramer said he’s positive he did not.

“It’s easy to remember the truth, and that’s one of the reasons I’m here today,” he said.

Kramer’s defense team argued the primary was meaningless because it was not sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee.

Officials said the $6 million civil penalty imposed by the Federal Communications Commission after the robocalls were sent still stands, despite the verdict.

>> Subscribe to WMUR’s YouTube channel <<

>> Previous coverage of this story:



Source link

Tags: