WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the bipartisan Artificial Intelligence Scam Prevention Act, which would prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate any person with the intent to defraud.

Last year, Americans lost nearly $2 billion in scams originating through calls, texts, and emails. When people spoke to scammers on the phone, they lost more money per person than through any other type of scam - $1,500 on average. The use of AI allows fraudsters to create more sophisticated scams and target more people, including by phone.

"Artificial intelligence has allowed scams to become more sophisticated, making it easier for fraudsters to deceive people-especially seniors and children-into giving up their personal information or hard-earned money," said Klobuchar. "Our bipartisan legislation will help take on scammers who use AI to copy someone's voice or image."

"While there is incredible potential with artificial intelligence, we must also be vigilant in protecting against harmful uses of the technology, especially when it comes to fraud and scams. I'm proud to help introduce the Artificial Intelligence Scam Prevention Act, legislation that explicitly prohibits AI fraud, particularly impersonations and deepfakes, and empowers federal agencies to take greater action against these criminals," said Capito.

The Artificial Intelligence Scam Prevention Act would:

• Prohibit the use of AI to replicate any person's image or voice with the intent to defraud
• Codify the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) ban on impersonating government or business officials.
• Update existing laws - that have not changed since 1996 - with definitions for text messages, video conference calls, and artificial or prerecorded voice
• Create an Advisory Committee to ensure inter-agency cooperation in enforcing scam prevention

In addition, the bill also updates the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act and the Communications Act of 1934 by adding definitions for text messages, video conference calls, and artificial or prerecorded voice-ensuring that our laws reflect 21st century technology, and giving enforcers the tools they need to go after telemarketing and consumer fraud.

Klobuchar has been leading efforts in Congress to create rules of the road for artificial intelligence.

In May, Klobuchar and Senator Ted Cruz's (R-TX) bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act, the first meaningful federal regulation on AI, was signed into law. This bill criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated NCII, and requires social media and similar websites to have in place procedures to remove such content within 48 hours of notice from a victim.

In July, Klobuchar and Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) reintroduced the bipartisan Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act to require the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to develop voluntary guidelines for election offices. These guidelines will address the use and risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in election administration, cybersecurity, information sharing about elections, and the spread of election-related disinformation.

Last week, Klobuchar authored an op-ed in The New York Times on how, given the current lack of federal standards, it is essential for states to maintain and strengthen their own AI protections rather than override the few protections Americans have from the downsides of AI. In August, Klobuchar wrote another op-ed in The New York Times on the risks of AI-generated videos and the need to put in place rules of the road, including creating protections for those who have their voice and likeness replicated through AI without their permission.

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