The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about a plethora of benefits, from simplifying daily tasks to creating works of art. However, as with any emerging technology, there are also potential downsides that come with it. One such downside is the creation and dissemination of deepfakes – fake images and videos that look real and can be used to spread misinformation.
Recently, a man in northern China used deepfake technology to cheat another man out of more than 5 crores. According to a Reuters report, the scammer used highly advanced “deep forgery” technology to pose as the victim’s close friend on a video call. Using AI-powered face-swapping technology, he convinced the victim to transfer 4.3 million yuan (about 5 million rupees) by posing as his friend who was supposedly in dire need of money during a bidding process.
It wasn’t until after the transfer had been made that the victim realized what had happened – her friend expressed ignorance about the situation. Fortunately, Baotou city police were able to recover most of the stolen funds and are working to trace the rest of it.
This incident highlights one of the potential dangers associated with AI – its use in financial crimes. It also raises concerns about how easily deepfake technology can be used to deceive people into believing something that isn’t true.
This isn’t the first time AI has been used for nefarious purposes either. Last month, scammers used AI to clone the voice of a teenage girl and demand ransom from her mother. The woman received a call from an unknown number where she heard her daughter’s voice saying ‘mom’ followed by sobs. The man then demanded $1 million in exchange for her daughter’s release.
While thankfully this turned out not to be true in this particular case, it shows how AI can be exploited for malicious purposes.
As we continue down this path towards increased reliance on AI, it’s important to remain vigilant and aware of the potential dangers associated with its use. As the saying goes, knowledge is power – and in this case, being informed about the risks associated with AI can help us better protect ourselves from falling victim to these types of scams.
It is widely declared that, it’s clear that more needs to be done in terms of regulating AI and ensuring that it’s used ethically and responsibly. While we may not be able to prevent every instance of AI being used for malicious purposes, we can take steps to minimize the risk and ensure that our use of this technology is guided by a strong ethical framework.
By and large, while AI has undoubtedly brought about many benefits, it’s important to remain mindful of its potential downsides. The recent incidents involving deepfakes and AI voice scams serve as stark reminders that we must proceed with caution when using this technology. By staying informed and taking appropriate precautions, we can help ensure that our use of AI remains safe and beneficial for all.
