Podcast Summary: What a Day – "How AI Is Weaponizing Voicemail"
Podcast Information:
- Title: What a Day
- Host: Jane Coaston, Crooked Media
- Episode Title: How AI Is Weaponizing Voicemail
- Release Date: July 21, 2025
Introduction
In the July 21, 2025 episode of What a Day, host Jane Coaston delves into the alarming rise of artificial intelligence (AI) being used to create deepfakes, specifically focusing on the weaponization of voicemail. The episode explores recent incidents of AI-driven impersonations of high-profile individuals, the broader implications for society, and the challenges in regulating such technologies. Additionally, the show touches upon significant news stories, including President Donald Trump's lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert by CBS.
AI and Deepfakes: Impersonation of Officials
The episode opens with a discussion on the unsettling trend of AI-generated deepfakes targeting government officials. Jane Coaston highlights a recent incident where an imposter, utilizing deepfake technology, reached out to at least five high-ranking government officials by impersonating Secretary of State Marco Rubio. These deceptive communications were sent via texts, Signal messages, and notably, voicemail.
Key Points:
- Incident Details: The State Department confirmed that the impersonator targeted a U.S. Senator, a governor, and several foreign ministers using AI-generated voice clones.
- Historical Context: This is not an isolated event. In May, federal authorities investigated attempts to impersonate White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, where the imposter solicited cash and pardon advice through AI-generated calls and texts. Stephen Colbert was quoted saying, “Involved to imitate her voice” (01:34).
Jane emphasizes the growing threat of deepfakes in politics and beyond, noting that the ease of replicating voices and images online makes even ordinary individuals vulnerable to such manipulations.
Interview with David Gilbert: Risks and Defense
To provide deeper insights, Jane Coaston interviews David Gilbert, a specialist in disinformation and online extremism for Wired magazine.
Discussion Highlights:
-
Prevalence of AI Impersonations:
- David Gilbert: “I’m very unsurprised that it’s happening. I think it’s probably happening a lot more than we know about” (02:52).
- He predicts an increase in AI-driven impersonations, especially targeting sensitive positions like that of Marco Rubio.
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Effectiveness of Voicemail Deepfakes:
- Gilbert: “AI voice cloning is probably the part of AI that works the best. It’s incredibly efficient. You only need a couple of seconds of someone’s voice in order to replicate it” (03:53).
- Voicemails are perceived as personal and trustworthy, making them harder to detect as scams compared to text messages.
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Future Proliferation:
- Gilbert: “There are so many apps now, and they are free… We’ll see it more with celebrities and politicians but also with highly targeted scams” (05:02).
- He warns about the potential for deepfakes to target not just public figures but also ordinary individuals, exploiting personal connections for scams.
Defense Mechanisms: Jane and Gilbert discuss strategies to combat these threats. One effective method mentioned is the use of unique catchphrases between individuals to verify authenticity. Additionally, Gilbert advises taking a moment to verify unexpected messages by directly contacting the supposed sender, emphasizing the importance of not succumbing to emotional manipulation by scammers.
- Gilbert: “Always take a beat. Don’t necessarily give in to your emotions… Just take 10 seconds to think, can I verify this some other way?” (06:24).
Legislative and Regulatory Responses to AI Deepfakes
The conversation shifts to the broader regulatory landscape surrounding AI technologies. Jane probes into the possibility of meaningful legislation to control AI’s misuse.
Insights from David Gilbert:
- U.S. Government’s Struggle: “Having spent a decade covering the inability of the US Government… I have serious doubts that they will be able to do anything about the AI platforms” (08:21).
- Influence of Tech Leaders: The alignment of AI industry leaders like Sam Altman and Mark Zuckerberg with political figures, particularly the Trump administration, hampers regulatory efforts.
- Global Race: Gilbert highlights the competitive race between the U.S. and China in AI dominance, noting that this rivalry detracts from cooperative regulation efforts.
He also points to the European Union as a potential leader in AI regulation, drawing parallels to its historical approach with social media platforms. However, the transnational nature of AI poses significant challenges for any regulatory framework to be effective.
- Gilbert: “AI doesn’t respect borders… It’s a race between China and the US” (09:36).
Other News Highlights
While the primary focus remains on AI and deepfakes, the episode also covers several other critical news stories:
1. National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles
- Context: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the Trump administration for deploying 4,000 National Guard troops in June, primarily to guard two buildings during ICE raids.
- Concerns Raised:
- Safety: Mayor Bass highlighted the fear and uncertainty caused by ICE agents using masks and a lack of clear identification, making it difficult for residents to distinguish between arrests and kidnappings.
- Economic Impact: The presence of National Guard troops and the threat of mass deportations have adversely affected LA's economy, with many fearing to leave their homes.
2. President Trump’s Lawsuit Against The Wall Street Journal
- Details:
- Allegation: The Wall Street Journal published an article alleging that Trump sent a lewd birthday card to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
- Trump’s Response: He has filed a lawsuit seeking at least $10 billion in damages, labeling the article as “false, defamatory, unsubstantiated and disparaging” (16:30).
- Journal’s Stance: The Wall Street Journal maintains confidence in their reporting, citing that the alleged letter was part of a collection compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003.
- Irony: Trump's claim that he “never wrote a picture in my life” contradicts evidence of his past artistic endeavors, including sketches sold at auctions and mentions in his 2008 book.
This lawsuit has further polarized opinions, strengthening the MAGA movement’s antagonism towards the press.
3. Gaza Conflict Casualties
- Reports:
- At least 85 Palestinians were killed and over 150 wounded in recent clashes, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
- An eyewitness account detailed surprise tank attacks on civilians waiting for aid, leading to prolonged entrapment and casualties.
- The Israeli military has disputed casualty numbers and issued evacuation orders amidst stalled ceasefire negotiations with Hamas.
4. Cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
- Announcement: Stephen Colbert revealed that CBS will discontinue The Late Show after his contract expires in May, marking the end of the show after over three decades on air.
- Financial Motives: CBS attributes the cancellation to financial reasons, although Colbert and observers suggest political motivations, especially following his criticism of CBS over a $16 million settlement with Trump.
- Trump’s Reaction: Celebrated the cancellation on his social platform, Truth Social, mocking Colbert’s talent and ratings.
Conclusion
In this episode of What a Day, Jane Coaston sheds light on the emerging and potentially dangerous use of AI in creating deepfake voicemails, emphasizing the significant risks posed to both public figures and everyday individuals. The discussions with David Gilbert underscore the urgent need for effective defense mechanisms and the complexities surrounding regulatory actions in the face of rapid technological advancements. Additionally, the episode provides a comprehensive overview of other pressing news stories, reflecting the multifaceted challenges of today’s socio-political landscape.
Notable Quotes:
- Jane Coaston: “Don’t necessarily give in to your emotions, which is what the scammers want you to do.” (06:24)
- David Gilbert: “AI voice cloning is probably the part of AI that works the best. It’s incredibly efficient.” (03:53)
- Stephen Colbert: “The network will be ending the Late show in May.” (17:31)
- Jane Coaston: “The Lawmakers’ settlement with the Wall Street Journal has, ironically, united the MAGA movement against the press.” (17:00)
Episode Credits:
- Produced by: Crooked Media
- Recorded and Mixed by: Desmond Taylor
- Associate Producer: Emily Foer
- Producer: Michelle Aloy
- Video Editor: Joseph Dutra
- Video Producer: Johanna Case
- Senior Producer: Erica Morrison
- Senior Vice President of News and Politics: Adrienne Hill
- Theme Music: Colin Gilliard and Kashaka
Additional Resources: For more insights and detailed reporting, listeners are encouraged to explore David Gilbert’s work on disinformation and online extremism available through Wired magazine. Show notes with relevant links can be found on the What a Day website.