Hello subscribers! Thank you to all WIRED AI Unlocked readers who listened to our recent conversation about money fraud and artificial intelligence. I had a great time chatting with readers and answering more questions live.
Katie Drummond, WIRED’s global editorial director, kicked off our discussion this time by sharing how her father recently received a call from a scammer who tried to deceive him with a voice that sounded just like hers. Fortunately, no money was lost during this interaction, but it is a solid reminder that AI fraud is not a problem of the future, but an issue worth considering now. To protect yourself and your loved ones, you can set a secret password that you can utilize to authenticate each other during emergency calls.
We’re also joined by Andrew Couts, WIRED’s senior security and investigations editor. Couts shared his insights into the various approaches used by fraudsters, including how various groups are now using AI-based tools to deepfake live videos and scam people out of money. He reminded viewers to be on the lookout for social engineering methods often used by scammers, such as creating a sense of urgency or encouraging people not to tell anyone about it. You can learn more about AI scams here.
During the live event, I talked about my recent investigation into AI financial advisors and how it reminded me to remain skeptical of startups claiming to assist with financial problems. Instead of using my bank details for financial assistance, the AI advisors seemed focused on getting me to take out high-interest cash loans or high-interest personal loans.
If you would like to contact me with additional, thoughtful questions about using generative AI and chatbot tools in your everyday life, my inbox remains open: reece_rogers@wired.com. I always enjoy hearing from WIRED subscribers, so no question is too basic or too niche to ask. Our next live event is scheduled for February, so keep an eye on your inbox for more details coming soon.