With university modules slowly beginning to adjust to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), many global firms have been inspired to mirror this and to do the same. Thus, corporate AI training has become increasingly widespread, and the consequences and possibilities of what AI can do are only on the rise.
With voice cloning tools such as ElevenLabs entering mainstream usage, AI deepfakes have only become more common, and with this, many people’s private information and data are at risk. Thus, it has been reported that an AI deepfake tricked a finance worker at a multinational firm in Hong Kong to pay out over $25 million from the company’s funds after being told to do so by a supposed ‘higher-up’ – which was just an AI-generated outline of a real person. Furthermore, identity cards were then stolen, and the data was used to file loan applications and bank account registrations – drastically impacting the people affected.
As it appears, however, even those who do have the knowledge of technology are at an increasing risk of being scammed
As a result of this, it is becoming evident that whereas AI can be a useful tool for brainstorming ideas or summarising long texts, many people have already begun to use software such as ChatGPT and the mentioned ElevenLabs in inherently malicious ways. Some of these include money scams targeting vulnerable groups, such as older people who have less knowledge of technology advancements. As it appears, however, even those who do have the knowledge of technology are at an increasing risk of being scammed or having their information stolen in a similar way.
The University of Exeter IT services have recently conducted a fake ‘phishing’ campaign, where students are rewarded upon reporting the fake scam texts and emails. Whereas this is a good starting point for young people to gain information and knowledge about the potential scam risks, the University must keep up to date with any potential scams that are targeting students – such as the more recent one which went around in mid-2024, where the Student Loans Company was impersonated, and fake texts were sent telling students that they have not paid their university fees, providing a fake link to “pay” the university. This will ensure that students are aware of any potential risks they may encounter while at university.
