Main topic: The usage of AI-powered bots and the challenges they pose for organizations.
Key points:
1. The prevalence of bots on the internet and their potential threats.
2. The rise of AI-powered bots and their impact on organizations, including ad fraud.
3. The innovative approach of Israeli start-up ClickFreeze in combatting malicious bots through AI and machine learning.
India is using AI-based speech recognition to expand digital payments to rural areas, allowing users to make verbal transfer instructions on their phones and enabling transactions without internet access using near field communication technology.
The Prescott Valley Police Department warns of the "Grandparent Scam" where scammers use AI technology to create realistic audio of a family member to urgently ask for money.
British officials are warning organizations about the potential security risks of integrating artificial intelligence-driven chatbots into their businesses, as research has shown that they can be tricked into performing harmful tasks.
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to generate voice deepfakes and trick people into sending them money, raising concerns among cybersecurity experts.
Google has expanded its Search Generative Experience (SGE) program, which aims to provide curated answers to input prompts, to Japan and India, allowing users to access AI-enhanced search through voice input in multiple languages. The company claims that users are having a positive experience with SGE, particularly young adults, although no supporting data was provided. However, the rise in misuse of generative AI systems, such as online scams, has also raised concerns among regulators and lawmakers.
The increasing sophistication of AI phishing scams poses a significant threat to crypto organizations as scammers utilize AI tools to execute highly convincing and successful attacks, warns Richard Ma, co-founder of Quantstamp. These AI-powered attacks involve scammers posing as key personnel within targeted companies to establish legitimacy and request sensitive information, making it crucial for individuals and organizations to avoid sending sensitive information via email or text and instead utilize internal communication channels like Slack. Investing in anti-phishing software is also advised to filter out automated emails from bots and AI.
Apple's new AI narrators for audiobooks raise ethical questions about the listener's awareness and consent, as well as the potential impact on voice actors; Apple's marketing language also presents the technology as empowering indie authors while eroding the livelihood of voice artists, similar to the tactics used by other disruptive tech companies.
Speech AI is being implemented across various industries, including banking, telecommunications, quick-service restaurants, healthcare, energy, the public sector, automotive, and more, to deliver personalized customer experiences, streamline operations, and enhance overall customer satisfaction.
AI systems are becoming increasingly adept at turning text into realistic and believable speech, raising questions about the ethical implications and responsibilities associated with creating and using these AI voices.
Voice cloning technology, driven by AI, poses a risk to consumers as it becomes easier and cheaper to create convincing fake voice recordings that can be used for scams and fraud.
Generative AI is empowering fraudsters with sophisticated new tools, enabling them to produce convincing scam texts, clone voices, and manipulate videos, posing serious threats to individuals and businesses.
Stephen Fry's agents were shocked to discover an AI-generated recording that perfectly mimicked his voice, raising concerns over the potential impact on voice actors and the debate surrounding intellectual property rights in relation to AI-generated content.
Scammers are using artificial intelligence and voice cloning to convincingly mimic the voices of loved ones, tricking people into sending them money in a new elaborate scheme.
Amazon has announced that large language models are now powering Alexa in order to make the voice assistant more conversational, while Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has identified India as the next big AI market due to its potential consumer base. Additionally, authors George RR Martin, John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, and Jonathan Franzen are suing OpenAI for copyright infringement, and Microsoft's AI assistant in Office apps called Microsoft 365 Copilot is being tested by around 600 companies for tasks such as summarizing meetings and highlighting important emails. Furthermore, AI-run asset managers face challenges in compiling investment portfolios that accurately consider sustainability metrics, and Salesforce is introducing an AI assistant called Einstein Copilot for its customers to interact with. Finally, Google's Bard AI chatbot has launched a fact-checking feature, but it still requires human intervention for accurate verification.
Criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence, including deepfakes and voice cloning, to carry out scams and deceive people online, posing a significant threat to online security.
AI-driven fraud is increasing, with thieves using artificial intelligence to target Social Security recipients, and many beneficiaries are not aware of these scams; however, there are guidelines to protect personal information and stay safe from these AI scams.
Scammers using AI to mimic human writers are becoming more sophisticated, as evidenced by a British journalist discovering a fake memoir about himself published under a different name on Amazon, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of Amazon's enforcement policies against fraudulent titles.
AI Threatens the Livelihood of Voice Actors: Will Their Voices Be Replaced?
Voice actors are facing a new threat to their livelihoods as generative artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more advanced. While AI can clone celebrity voices and narrate audiobooks, industry experts believe that it cannot fully replace the unique skills and artistry of human voice actors. However, the rise of AI poses concerns for voice actors, including the potential theft and misuse of their voices. Companies are exploring the use of AI for cheaper voice work, but experts argue that synthetic voices lack the engagement and uniqueness that human voices provide. Despite the challenges, some companies are embracing AI, including Spotify, which is using AI-powered voice technology for podcast translations. This technological advancement not only endangers voice actors' jobs but also raises ethical questions about the unauthorized use of their voices to create new content. In response, voice actors are negotiating for stronger protections and fair compensation in their contracts. Although the ongoing strikes serve as a challenge, African voice actors see opportunities to negotiate for fair contracts as the demand for their voices increases. They emphasize the importance of clear agreements on how their voices will be used and for how long, ensuring proper compensation and respect for their work.
Overall, voice actors are grappling with the potential impact of AI on their profession. While AI may provide convenience and cost-effectiveness, it cannot replicate the unique nuances, emotions, and cultural elements delivered by human voice actors. The concern lies in the potential theft and misuse of their voices, as well as competition from AI-generated vocals for lower-level voice work. However, there remains hope that the skills and artistic touch of voice actors will continue to be valued, particularly in high-production-value shows and projects that require cultural authenticity. As negotiations continue and voice actors seek stronger protections, they aim to secure informed consent and fair compensation for their work in an industry that is becoming increasingly reliant on AI technology.
Celebrities such as Tom Hanks and Gayle King have become victims of AI-powered scams, with AI-generated versions of themselves being used to promote fraudulent products, raising concerns about the use of AI in digital media.
AI technology is making advancements in various fields such as real estate analysis, fighter pilot helmets, and surveillance tools, while Tom Hanks warns fans about a scam using his name.
Artificial Intelligence is being misused by cybercriminals to create scam emails, text messages, and malicious code, making cybercrime more scalable and profitable. However, the current level of AI technology is not yet advanced enough to be widely used for deepfake scams, although there is a potential future threat. In the meantime, individuals should remain skeptical of suspicious messages and avoid rushing to provide personal information or send money. AI can also be used by the "good guys" to develop software that detects and blocks potential fraud.
The prevalence of online fraud, particularly synthetic fraud, is expected to increase due to the rise of artificial intelligence, which enables scammers to impersonate others and steal money at a larger scale using generative AI tools. Financial institutions and experts are concerned about the ability of security and identity detection technology to keep up with these fraudulent activities.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has urged the US government to include AI voice cloning in its piracy watchdog list, citing infringement of copyright and the right to publicity as potential issues, specifically calling out Voicify.AI as a company that allows users to copy YouTube videos and modify them using AI voice models of popular music artists.
The RIAA has requested that AI voice cloning be added to the government's piracy watch list, as they believe it infringes on copyrights and artists' rights; they specifically called out Voicify.AI as a site that should be scrutinized.
AI technology poses a threat to voice actors and artists as it can replicate their voices and movements without consent or compensation, emphasizing the need for legal protections and collective bargaining.
New York City is using artificial intelligence to send robocalls featuring Mayor Eric Adams' voice in different languages, leading to concerns from privacy experts and criticism from privacy advocates who argue that it is deceptive and reminiscent of "deep fakes."
American venture capitalist Tim Draper warns that scammers are using AI to create deepfake videos and voices in order to scam crypto users.