Five worthy reads is a regular column on five noteworthy items we’ve discovered while researching trending and timeless topics. This week, we are exploring voice-activated AI technology that allows computers to comprehend and respond to human speech, while analyzing some of its detrimental drawbacks.
In today’s world, it seems like there’s an AI-powered personal assistant for just about everything—from ordering pizza to scheduling your next dentist appointment. But did you know that these same voice-activated AI models can also be used by scammers and cybercriminals to carry out their nefarious schemes? That’s right, the same technology that helps us book a ride or set a reminder can also be manipulated to help malicious actors steal our personal information, drain our bank accounts, and wreak havoc on our digital lives.
Gone are the days of obvious scam phone calls from “Nigerian princes” or “bank officials”—today’s scammers are becoming more sophisticated than ever. With voice AI technology, scammers can sound more and more like someone that is very close to you and play to your emotions, leaving no room for doubt in your mind. The rise of this technology is blurring the lines between reality and fiction, making it harder to distinguish between genuine and fake calls.
So beware, because the next time your phone rings, it might not be who you think it is.
This week, we’re delving into the world of voice AI technology—the groundbreaking innovation that enables computers to understand and respond to human speech. While this technology has the potential to revolutionize our lives in countless positive ways, it’s not without its drawbacks. So buckle up and get ready to explore the dark side of voice AI with these five insightful articles. Get ready to learn, be amazed, and maybe even a little scared—but most importantly, stay vigilant!
If you thought generative AI models were being used just by college students to write their mid-term essays, you might be in for a shocking revelation. As it turns out, AI is being used, or rather misused, by malicious actors in various fields, and this gets especially dangerous when politics is added into the mix. With realistic voices aiding deepfakes, stock markets can be crashed, and wars can be started, leading to utter turmoil. The boiling question now is: How do we get the genie back in its bottle?
As AI continues to advance at an exponential rate, malicious actors are taking advantage of the lack of adequate laws and regulations to perpetrate scams with ease. The use of deepfake technology, powered by voice AI, has become a potent tool in the scammer’s arsenal, allowing them to deceive unsuspecting victims with alarming accuracy. With just a simple phone call or video, anyone can fall prey to these malicious actors. As more and more individuals share their voices on the internet, especially through popular platforms like TikTok, scammers have an ever-growing pool of potential targets to exploit. This makes voice AI technology one of the most lucrative tools for scamming that we should be aware of.
Generative AI is a powerful tool that, in the wrong hands, can cause significant harm. Unfortunately, some individual and groups have already used generative AI models to perpetrate heinous acts, from racist practices that whiten skin tones to fabricating romantic relationships to scam unsuspecting individuals. The potential for harm is limitless, and there is a significant risk that criminals will find ways to circumvent regulations meant to prevent their illegal use. Responsible innovation and collaboration between industry and government are essential to ensure the ethical use of new technologies for the benefit of society.
Not so surprisingly, one of the hottest trends in the voice AI tech world is fake Biden speeches. While scamming people out of their money is one thing, the world’s most powerful presidents talking about ballot harvesting or voter fraud is a whole different ballgame that will have serious consequences on society as a whole and undermine democracy. As a result, there is a growing need for regulations and safeguards to prevent the misuse of voice AI technology in the political sphere.
AI is silently getting better at its own game, and it might feel like it is slowly creeping up into every corner of our lives, potentially threatening our jobs and societal stability. Although we may not be able to completely eliminate AI-driven cybercrime, we can take measures to mitigate its worst effects and make the internet even more secure than it currently is using the same AI technology.
As voice AI technology continues to advance, we’re starting to uncover some of its darker implications. From its potential use in cybercrime and scams to the impact on our privacy and data security, these concerns are growing each day. It’s a sobering reminder that with great power comes great responsibility, and as we embrace the convenience and efficiency of voice AI, we must also be aware of the risks. After all, it’s not a matter of if someone we know will fall victim to cybercrime, but when.
Ultimately, the battle against AI-enabled cybercrime can be won with AI-enhanced cybersecurity, and it is up to us to strike a balance between leveraging the benefits of AI while also minimizing its negative impacts.
