An artificial intelligence-generated voice impersonating mayoral candidate Nithya Raman has sparked a wave of ethics complaints from her campaign directed at a super PAC supporting current Mayor Karen Bass. This controversy unfolds as businessman Rick Caruso, who previously competed against Bass in 2022, publicly reveals his support for her in the forthcoming election.
Allegations of AI Impersonation Surface
The Raman campaign took action on Monday by filing complaints with the California Fair Political Practices Commission and the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission against Thrive LA PAC, a conservative group funding ads for Bass. They claim that Thrive LA has been deploying AI technology to mimic Raman’s voice, fabricating responses to mislead constituents without clear disclosure regarding the use of AI or the funding sources behind the operation.
Signs placed around Los Angeles direct voters to a phone number associated with “Nithya Raman Realty.” When callers dial in, they hear an AI-generated voice that imitates Raman, answering questions in the first person. A recent call to the line was met with the recording stating, “This call is being recorded for quality and training purposes,” followed by the AI voice asserting, “I’m as imaginary as my campaign promises.” The voice acknowledged its purpose, saying, “Yes. That’s the point” when questioned about mimicking Raman.
Defending the initiative, Ana Dahan, executive director of Thrive LA, maintained that their use of AI was merely a form of political satire. She argued that any informant would clearly recognize the voice as artificial, stating, “Nobody would believe it’s a real human being.”
The Raman campaign contends that this strategy breaches California laws around deceptive election communications and guidelines regarding AI-generated political advertisements. They cited specific legal codes that prohibit malicious audio manipulation of candidates’ voices in close proximity to elections, emphasizing the need for transparency in paid political advertising.
Liz Garcia, a spokesperson for Raman, expressed dismay over the tactics being used, labeling the move as both disheartening and illegal: “It’s both sad and illegal for Karen Bass’ conservative allies to be cloning Nithya’s voice, manufacturing her words, and hiding who is paying for it, all to deceive voters.”
Caruso Breaks Silence with Bass Endorsement
In a notable pivot, Caruso recently announced his intent to vote for Bass, highlighting their collaborative efforts over the years. “I’m announcing today that I made a decision to vote for Mayor Karen Bass,” he stated. When asked if his vote was a rejection of Raman, he clarified that it was a decision favoring Bass, emphasizing his belief that she would be more effective in the role.
Bass welcomed Caruso’s endorsement, recalling their partnership in rebuilding efforts in Pacific Palisades after wildfires ravaged the area. She remarked on their history of cooperation in tackling significant challenges and expressed gratitude for Caruso’s support moving forward: “I’m honored to receive his support and look forward to working with him over the next four years.”
As discussions around Los Angeles’ preparedness for future emergencies arose, Caruso shared his hopes that improvement was on the horizon, reinforcing his commitment to continue holding city leaders accountable.
Amidst the political turmoil, Steve Hilton, the Republican candidate for California governor, voiced his criticism of Bass. He declared voting for her as “morally unacceptable,” grounding his opinion in governmental accountability. Although he acknowledged that he does not reside in Los Angeles and refrained from advising on specific voting decisions, he offered his assistance to locals facing challenges in governance.
As the mayoral race intensifies, the implications of the AI phone line, the mounting ethics complaints, Caruso’s support for Bass, and Hilton’s critiques bring a dynamic twist to the election landscape.
