Artificial Intelligence is becoming more and more powerful in society and has started to become quite a horror. Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI, has become a rising threat for many reasons, including ChatGPT and many other harms. But one of the biggest issues is its frightening realism, more specifically, deep fake voice technology powered by AI.
AI has been used for harm in unimaginable ways. Take Jennifer DeStefano, a mother of two from Scottsdale. DeStefano suffered a horrific scare when she was almost scammed of 1 million dollars and thought her daughter, Briana, was in danger. DeStefano told the US Senate about the dangers of artificial technology after receiving a phone call from scammers threatening to kill her daughter horrifically if she did not pay ransom money. On Jan. 20 at 4:55 p.m., DeStefano picked up a call assuming it was a doctor’s office. Briana, her daughter, was on a ski trip when DeStefano received this call. She soon heard Briana sobbing and crying saying “Mom.” In reality, this was not her Briana but instead, scammers using AI deep fake voice technology to replicate her daughter’s voice.
DeStefano talked with who she thought was Briana and the men who had supposedly taken her. Fearing her daughter would be harmed, DeStefano continued to negotiate with the “kidnappers” who lowered the ransom from 1 million dollars to $50,000. Before putting herself in harm’s way to deliver the money, another parent who was with DeStefano at the time informed her that police were aware of AI scams, and this seemed like one. With this new information, she called her daughter and husband who were completely fine. DeStefano then collapsed to the floor in relief, now seeing that the voice of Briana in the call was a hoax and powered by AI. While DeStefano and her daughter ended up all right, this story is one of the many reminders about the growing threat caused by artificial technology. AI is becoming a problem in society, and this event poses a reminder to all that it is becoming scarier and more common. Who knows what is coming next?
