An individual leveraged artificial intelligence to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio, contacting at least five individuals, including three foreign ministers, a US governor, and a member of Congress. The State Department issued a warning to US diplomats about the incident. The impersonator aimed to gain access to information or accounts, utilising AI-generated text and voice messages.
The perpetrator created a Signal account under the name "Marco.Rubio@state.gov" and sent messages via text, Signal, and voicemail. The State Department is currently investigating the incident and has alerted all diplomatic and consular posts. Authorities believe the impersonator was attempting to manipulate government officials.
This incident follows a similar case involving President Trump's chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and highlights the increasing misuse of AI for deceptive purposes. The FBI had previously warned about malicious actors impersonating senior US government officials. Although the hoaxes involving Rubio were not sophisticated, the State Department deemed it prudent to advise employees and foreign governments.
