Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at lightning speed. You’ve probably heard stories of voice clones and the debates surrounding them. Musical artists are common targets – with AI-generated songs and spoofs they never actually recorded. You may even find renditions sounding like the late Frank Sinatra singing hit songs of today. And of course, let us not forget the political deepfakes, where AI-generated voices have been used to create fake statements from public figures, sometimes even accompanied by convincing AI-generated video footage. Some examples are less nefarious, such a James Earl Jones permitting Disney to continue on with his legendary voice as the Darth Vader. And for fans of podcasts and audio books, many platforms are now adapting AI technology to use “familiar” voices for listeners.
These real-world applications of AI voices can be fascinating and useful, but like many tools, they can be misused by bad faith agents. For example, AI-powered robocalls can present risks of fraud and identity theft. Scammers increasingly use AI to create more convincing robocalls, mimicking human voices and adapting responses to make the calls seem more authentic.
These concerns go beyond just scammers. Many businesses, even legitimate ones, value their profits over your privacy, and may use pre-recorded or automated voice technology to pester their potential customers. This is where Wells Law comes in. This is in violation of your legal rights and should not go unaddressed.
Are You Speaking to a Human? Find Out!
Although artificial intelligence technology has made some truly impressive developments when it comes to mimicking human speech, they are still just robots, and there are ways to tell if the voice on the phone is coming from a human or not. Some tell-tale signs are:
- Lack of Natural Pauses: Does the “person” you’re speaking to pause to think? If their responses are instantaneous, this is a sign it may be automated.
- Unusual Cadence: Although many AI voices may sound pretty convincing, they struggle with prolonged conversations, and their tone is often strange and mechanical. They often try to sound very friendly without the natural ebb and flow a real person’s tone would have.
- Repetition: AI bots have, in layman’s terms, a “one track mind.” Where a human would pick up on a change of topic, an AI is likely to repeat the same phrases and points.
- Just Ask: If you suspect you may be speaking to a robot, simply ask, “Are you a real person?” Although some AI may lie, typically they are unable to elaborate on their personhood and will give repetitive, strangely worded answers.
Remember that humans are naturally good at recognizing each other. If you suspect that the voice on the phone might not have a human being attached, your instincts are probably correct. And if you mistake a real caller for an AI caller, don’t sweat it: if they’re a real person, they’ll understand that AI calls are becoming more and more common, and they most likely have a response ready to go.
You’re Getting Robo Calls – Now What?
Don’t let businesses get away with violating your rights. If you’re being bombarded with robocalls from legitimate businesses, Wells Law is here to help. If pre-recorded or AI voice technology is being used in robocalls, this may violate federal law. Clients receiving these calls can receive up to $1,500 per robocall. If you believe that you’ve been receiving such calls from a legitimate business, reach out to Wells Law right away by filling out an intake form to have your case reviewed, 100% free!