The US State Department has launched an investigation into an AI-driven scheme that used fake messages to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and target senior US and foreign officials.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the attempts were unsuccessful. “The department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information,” Bruce said during Tuesday’s briefing.

She began her remarks with a lighthearted comment: “In my own voice. Not AI,” a nod to concerns about synthetic media. When pressed for details, Bruce declined to elaborate. “For security reasons, we do not have any further details,” she added.

The incident has intensified calls in Congress to advance legislation regulating artificial intelligence. Although lawmakers from both parties support creating federal standards, they remain divided over how to proceed.

A recent effort by allies of former President Donald Trump to include a measure in the federal budget restricting states from setting their own AI rules was ultimately scrapped after facing bipartisan resistance.

“I was very pleased,” said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who led the effort to remove the provision. She argued that states are stepping up as Congress delays action. “Now, we should step forward with the proper framework, the proper proposals to protect people in the virtual space,” Blackburn said.

Despite broad agreement that regulation is needed, Big Tech companies continue to push back against new federal oversight, leaving the debate in Washington unresolved.