On August 8, 2024, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry (NPRM and NOI) regarding the positive and negative implications of artificial intelligence technologies to place and receive phone calls and text messages.  In the NPRM, the FCC proposes changes to its robocall rules that would require callers to make certain disclosures to consumers when they receive an AI-generated call. In February 2024, the FCC issued a Declaratory Ruling that AI-generated calls are subject to the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the FCC's robocall rules.  The proposed rule is intended to enable consumers to avoid potentially fraudulent or unwanted calls generated by AI. The NPRM also proposes to exempt from the FCC's robocall rules the use of AI by consumers to make calls, in order to ensure that people with disabilities can use AI capabilities legally when accessing the telephone network. 

The NOI seeks public comments on the benefits and risks of real-time call detection, call alerting, and call-blocking technologies designed to enable consumers to prevent unwanted robocalls. Google, Microsoft, OriginStory and others are currently developing this technology. The FCC seeks comments on how it can support the development of call detection, call alerting, and call blocking, and how to address the significant consumer privacy issues raised by these technologies.

Comments on the NPRM and NOI will be due 30 days, and reply comments will be due 45 days, after the items are published in the Federal Register.