The voice of an old woman
O2 uses AI to outsmart telephone fraudsters
November 18, 2024 – 10:33 a.mReading time: 2 min.
A mobile phone provider has developed an AI to combat phone scammers. The technology keeps phone fraudsters busy with long monologues.
The mobile operator O2 has developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) that is intended to take action against telephone fraudsters. The technique called “Daisy” is designed to thwart fraudsters on the phone by imitating the voice of an old woman. The goal is to keep the scammers busy for as long as possible so they can contact fewer real people. This is reported by the online news service “heise.de”.
According to O2, the AI has already received fraudulent calls. According to her own statements, she can keep a conversation going for up to 40 minutes. In order to be called by fraudsters at all, O2’s associated telephone numbers would be added to lists used by such fraudsters.
The AI technology should be a mixture of different models with artificial intelligence and be able to generate answers to the conversation with the fraudsters in real time. In an advertising film on YouTube, O2 shows what “Daisy” could sound like.
So far, the AI is only available in English, so it cannot protect against telephone scams on the German market. O2 wants to show in Great Britain that this method can be successful.
In recent years, the number of reported spam calls has steadily increased. Older people in particular are targeted by fraudsters. Fraud calls often pretend that a family member is in distress and needs money quickly.
However, fraud attempts are increasingly taking place via WhatsApp, with fraudsters pretending to be a family member with a new cell phone number. Here, too, people quickly ask for money without being able to make a phone call. In these cases, O2’s AI cannot be used. Because “Daisy” has so far only been designed to intercept telephone scams that involve direct conversations.
In order to generally protect yourself from fraud, it is also important to never transfer money to foreign accounts and not to pass on personal data such as IBAN, address or other bank details over the phone.
Interview: Fighting Fraud with AI – An Conversation with Dr. Emily Roberts, AI Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Roberts! We’re excited to have you with us today to discuss this innovative approach by O2 in combating telephone fraud using AI. The concept of utilizing an AI that mimics the voice of an elderly woman is quite fascinating. What are your thoughts on this strategy?
Dr. Emily Roberts: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here. I find O2’s strategy quite ingenious. By using AI to create a character that scammers might not take seriously – in this case, an elderly woman – the company is effectively diverting the scammers’ time and resources away from real victims. Fraudsters rely on quick wins, so keeping them engaged in a long conversation can significantly reduce their productivity.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely! The AI, named “Daisy,” is designed to sustain a conversation for up to 40 minutes. Could you shed some light on how such a technology is implemented?
Dr. Emily Roberts: Certainly! The implementation involves advanced natural language processing (NLP) capabilities. Daisy must understand and generate responses that are contextually relevant to what the fraudster is saying. This requires a rich database of conversational patterns and the ability to adapt dynamically. It’s a way to create a seemingly genuine dialogue that tricks scammers into thinking they have a potential victim on the line.
Time.news Editor: It sounds incredibly sophisticated. What do you think are the broader implications for using AI in fraud prevention beyond just phone scams?
Dr. Emily Roberts: This approach could be a game changer in several areas. For instance, AI can be tailored to recognize the patterns of various fraud schemes, allowing for adaptive responses that could address not only phone scams but also cyber scams and phishing attempts. With the ever-evolving tactics of scammers, AI’s ability to learn and respond in real-time could offer a robust line of defense for consumers.
Time.news Editor: That’s definitely encouraging. Given the technology’s potential, what ethical considerations should we be mindful of as AI continues to play a role in deception – even if it’s for the greater good?
Dr. Emily Roberts: That’s an excellent point. There are ethical implications that must be thoroughly considered, such as the potential for misuse of such technologies. While using AI to combat fraud is a noble endeavor, we need safeguards to ensure these technologies are not employed for other deceptive purposes. Transparency about how the AI operates and accountability mechanisms are essential to maintain public trust.
Time.news Editor: Well said. As we wrap up, where do you see AI technology heading in the next few years, especially in the context of security and fraud prevention?
Dr. Emily Roberts: I foresee a substantial expansion in the use of AI for cybersecurity measures. We’ll likely see enhanced predictive algorithms that can analyze behavioral trends and flag potential fraudulent activities before they occur. Additionally, as the technology becomes more refined, we could also see a personalized approach where AI helps educate users about common scams and fosters greater awareness.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Roberts. It’s clear that the intersection of AI and fraud prevention is a critical area that deserves our attention.
Dr. Emily Roberts: Thank you for having me! It’s an important topic, and I look forward to seeing how innovations like Daisy evolve in the fight against fraud.
Time.news Editor: Likewise! We appreciate your time and expertise today.