The U.S. State Department has issued a global alert after discovering artificial intelligence-driven attempts to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials. A July 3 diplomatic cable revealed impostors contacted at least three foreign ministers, a U.S. senator, and a governor through text messages, Signal communications, and voicemails.
While described as "not very sophisticated" by officials, the incidents highlight growing concerns about AI-enabled deception in international diplomacy. The department confirmed it is monitoring the situation and strengthening cybersecurity protocols, though no direct threat to its systems was identified.
This follows a similar May incident targeting former President Donald Trump's chief of staff Susie Wiles. FBI warnings from spring 2023 predicted such AI-powered impersonation campaigns would increase as technology becomes more accessible.
"There is no direct cyber threat to the department from this campaign, but information shared with a third party could be exposed if targeted individuals are compromised," stated the internal cable obtained by KhabarAsia. Officials emphasized the need for vigilance as foreign actors intensify information security breaches.
The development underscores broader challenges facing governments worldwide in combating AI-facilitated disinformation, particularly in sensitive diplomatic communications.
