AI-Generated Voices Frustrate Iranians Trying to Reach Loved Ones Amid Conflict
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A troubling new development has emerged for Iranians living abroad trying to connect with family back home. Ellie, a British-Iranian in the UK, recently experienced this firsthand. When she called her mother in Tehran, she was met with a robotic female voice instead.
“Who is calling?” asked the voice, which spoke in broken English. Ellie soon realized that her attempts to reach her mother were thwarted by an unusual automated response.
Ellie is among nine Iranians overseas — scattered in the UK and the US — who reported hearing these strange, mechanical voices attempting to connect them to loved ones in Iran. This has coincided with escalating military tensions, particularly after Israel launched airstrikes aimed at Iranian targets.
Experts speculate that these messages might be a product of low-tech artificial intelligence or a simple pre-recorded message system used by Iranian telcos to divert calls. Four professionals who analyzed the recordings suspect that the Iranian government could be behind the strange messages, while one expert thinks it could be traced back to Israeli strategies.
The disconcerting messages have heightened the anxiety for those trying to stay in touch with family as tensions rise. In response to the ongoing conflict, Iranian authorities have enforced widespread internet blackouts, which they claim are meant to safeguard the nation. This drastic measure has stifled access to information, making it even harder for families to communicate.
Ellie expressed deep concern for her mother, who is diabetic and now running low on insulin. Unable to relay important information about evacuating the city, she feels trapped in uncertainty.
The Iranian mission to the U.N. has not responded to requests for comment on the situation.
Voices on these calls often relay bizarre platitudes, creating a surreal experience for callers. One woman described her encounter as “psychological warfare,” summarizing the shock of expecting a loved one’s voice but instead hearing an automated message stating, “Life is full of unexpected surprises.”
Many Iranians abroad encounter static or long rings when they attempt to reach family. Some fortunate individuals have found creative ways to bypass the blackout. Ellie knows someone who lives near the Iran-Turkey border and can relay phone calls between different networks, allowing her to speak with her mother briefly.
Elon Musk has reportedly activated Starlink internet access in Iran, but such technology remains illegal, leading to fears of government repercussions for those who use it. Meanwhile, other residents find ways to obtain illegal satellite dishes to access international news.
The ongoing blackout has created a sense of helplessness among family members trying to check on their loved ones. For instance, one woman has been anxiously trying to reach her mother-in-law in Tehran, who is now in critical care due to respiratory issues. Her calls yield the same overwhelming automated responses, which only intensify her feelings of powerlessness in a chaotic situation.
As tensions continue to escalate between Israel and Iran, the challenges of communication for families separated by borders signify the broader implications of conflict and governmental control over personal freedoms.
