If there is one thing we know, it’s that criminal scammers are not stupid. They often use cutting-edge technologies to make their schemes more sophisticated and harder to detect. However, these same technologies can – and should – be used to protect people as well. 

The most recent case in point is Artificial Intelligence (AI). We are already seeing celebrity “deep fake” videos trying to sell non-existent products. Likewise, simple AI tools - like Chat GPT - are cleaning up many grammatical issues that can make scam emails easier to spot. The question is, how can we use this technology for good? 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) hopes to use AI to weed out something that plagues anyone with a phone – illegal robocalls. The FCC recently announced that they are seeking ideas from the public on how to better screen out these illegal and unwanted calls using this technology. 

Unfortunately, it will take some time for the good uses to catch up with the bad ones, which is reflected in a recent Presidential Executive Order on AI. The order includes requirements for more oversight of and openness from tech companies, the development of systems to protect private data, and concrete efforts to prevent the spread of misinformation. 

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. 

The AARP Fraud Watch Network is a free resource for all. Learn how to proactively spot scams or get guidance if you’ve been targeted. Visit aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call our dedicated helpline to speak to a fraud specialist at 1-877-908-3360. 

Need a scam prevention speaker for your group? Go to aarp.org/me or call 1-866-554-5380.