S.T.O.P. Condemns Eric Adams’ Deepfake Robocalls, Calls ‘Responsible AI’ Plan ‘Deeply Irresponsible’

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For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Condemns Eric Adams’ Deepfake Robocalls, Calls ‘Responsible AI’ Plan ‘Deeply Irresponsible’ (New York, NY 10/16/2023) – Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, condemned Mayor Eric Adam’s use of AI to simulate his voice in robocalls to New Yorkers in dozens of languages the mayor doesn’t actually speak. Adams’ robocall revelation came during the rollout of the city’s self-described plan for responsible artificial intelligence. The civil rights group said that the plan and robocalls were emblematic of the city’s deeply irresponsible use of AI, which continues to accelerate despite growing public concern. SEE: NYC Mayor’s Office - Mayor Adams Releases First-of-Its-Kind Plan For Responsible Artificial Intelligence Use In NYC Government https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyHhqZgZbr8 “The Mayor is making deep fakes of himself,” Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “This is deeply unethical, especially on the taxpayer’s dime. Using AI to convince New Yorkers that he speaks languages that he doesn’t is deeply Orwellian. Yes, we need announcements in all of New Yorkers’ native languages, but the deep fakes are just a creepy vanity project.” Earlier this year, the civil rights group welcomed the introduction of two bills that would outlaw biometric AI technologies like facial recognition in public accommodations and housing. And the organization continues to call on lawmakers to enact a ban on NYPD use of facial recognition and other biometric AI. Earlier this month, the group also welcomed a decision from the New York State Department of Education to make permanent a ban on facial recognition in K-12 public schools. SEE: Press Release - Electeds, Advocates Rally Against Facial Recognition Ahead Of City Council Hearing On Bans https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2023/5/3/electeds-advocates-rally-against-facial-recognition-ahead-of-city-council-hearing-on-bans Press Release - S.T.O.P. Welcomes NY Schools’ Face Rec Ban, Calls For City-Wide Legislation https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2023/9/27/stop-welcomes-ny-schools-face-rec-ban-calls-for-city-wide-legislation-1 Cahn continued, “It is the height of irresponsibility for the city to roll out this sort of plan when it’s still using racist AI like facial recognition. The NYPD continues to use facial recognition more than ten thousand times a year, despite knowing the technology puts Black, Latinx, and Asian New Yorkers at risk of false arrest. The Mayor continues to enable some of the worst AI abuses in the country, all while hiding behind the rhetoric of AI responsibility.” SEE: New York Daily News - Adams must not drag us toward tech dystopia https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/01/25/adams-must-not-drag-us-toward-tech-dystopia/ The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. --END-- CONTACT: S.T.O.P. Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. Copyright © 2021 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved.