On Thursday, O2, the UK’s largest mobile network operator, unveiled a new chatbot named “dAIsy” that is specifically designed to outsmart phone scammers. This AI chatbot takes on the persona of an elderly woman who is eager to engage in conversation about topics like knitting and her beloved cat, Fluffy. The main goal of “AI Granny” is to waste the time of scammers by stringing them along with fake conversations, preventing them from successfully obtaining any personal information.
According to a press release from O2, “AI Granny” utilizes a combination of various AI models to transcribe the caller’s voice into text, generate a response using a large language model, and then convert it into a voice answer through a text-to-speech model. The AI technology behind “AI Granny” was partially trained by Jim Browning, an expert in scam prevention who has a significant following on YouTube.
The implementation of this AI chatbot is not only innovative but also entertaining to witness in action. O2 claims that the audio interactions showcased in the demonstration video are authentic, adding a layer of realism to the effectiveness of “AI Granny.” The ultimate objective of this AI-powered solution is to combat the rising issue of telephone scams targeting older individuals, as reported by the FBI.
In recent years, there has been a concerning increase in the financial losses incurred by individuals over the age of 60 due to telephone scams. In 2023, victims in this age group were swindled out of $3.4 billion, a significant rise from the $3.1 billion reported in 2022. As advancements in generative AI technology continue to evolve, the threat of voice impersonation tactics used by scammers is expected to escalate, potentially leading to even higher financial losses for vulnerable populations.
The introduction of “AI Granny” by O2 signifies a proactive approach to addressing the growing problem of phone scams, particularly those targeting older adults. By deploying this AI chatbot to engage scammers in fruitless conversations, O2 aims to disrupt their deceptive practices and reduce the success rates of fraudulent activities. As the battle against phone scammers intensifies, innovative solutions like “AI Granny” demonstrate the potential of AI technology to protect individuals from falling victim to financial schemes.
