Marco Rubio impersonated by AI imposter

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The U.S. State Department is investigating who’s responsible for using artificial intelligence to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Scam messages tried to contact a U.S. senator, a governor and several foreign officials.

The department said the messages were unsuccessful, but members of Congress stress this is just the latest example of why they need to pass AI regulations.

“The department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information,” said Spokesperson Tammy Bruce. 

However, Bruce did open her briefing Tuesday with a joke.

“In my own voice. Not AI,” Bruce said. “Not that you have some questions about that.”

Reporters did, but Bruce said she couldn’t answer them.

“For security reasons, we do not have any further details,” she said.

There’s still no agreement in Washington on the best ways to police AI. Allies of President Donald Trump tried to include a provision in his sweeping budget bill to restrict states from regulating artificial intelligence, but lawmakers ultimately removed it.

“I was very pleased,” said U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

Blackburn led the push to remove that provision because she said states are stepping up while Congress stalls.

“Now, we should step forward with the proper framework, the proper proposals to protect people in the virtual space,” Blackburn said.

Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress support regulating AI at the federal level, but Big Tech opposes their efforts.