AI Deepfake Impersonator Targets Officials Using Voice Clone of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio

  WASHINGTON • In a concerning instance of AI-driven impersonation, an unidentified individual attempted to contact both U.S. and foreign officials by mimicking the voice and communication style of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to internal State Department memos cited by multiple media outlets.

Using artificial intelligence-generated voice and text messages, the impersonator reached out to at least three foreign ministers, a U.S. senator, and a state governor, according to The Washington Post. The individual reportedly used the encrypted messaging platform Signal, registering an account under the fraudulent email ID “marco.rubio@state.gov.” The outreach campaign is believed to have commenced in mid-June.

Hoax Deemed Unsophisticated but Concerning

A U.S. official, speaking to the Associated Press, described the operation as "not very sophisticated" and ultimately unsuccessful in its objectives. However, the State Department, in a memo circulated to U.S. embassies, cautioned that while there was no direct cyber threat to the department itself, information shared with third parties could be at risk if targeted individuals were deceived.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the incident during a press briefing on Tuesday, stating that the department is “actively monitoring and addressing the matter.” She emphasized that the State Department is committed to protecting its communications and “continuously strengthening its cybersecurity measures” to guard against emerging threats, particularly those involving deepfake technology.

Part of a Growing Trend

The attempted impersonation comes amid increasing concern over the misuse of AI in political and diplomatic deception. In May, the FBI issued a public warning about malicious actors leveraging AI-generated audio to mimic senior U.S. officials, following an incident in which the White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles reportedly had her phone hacked, resulting in fake calls and messages sent to her contacts.

This latest incident further highlights the escalating security challenges posed by generative AI, particularly in the context of national and international diplomacy. Experts warn that as the technology becomes more accessible, the potential for information warfare, disinformation campaigns, and diplomatic confusion will likely grow, placing increased pressure on governments to develop safeguards and verification protocols.

As of now, the source of the attempted impersonation has not been identified, and investigations are ongoing.