This AI start-up deploys fake victims to catch calling scammers
What's the story
Australian cybersecurity start-up, Apate.ai, is revolutionizing the fight against scams with its innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI). The company has developed a synthetic "victim" that engages scammers in conversation, wasting their time while simultaneously gathering intelligence on their methods. This unique approach turns AI into a defensive tool against fraudsters, providing protection for potential victims.
AI personas
Apate.ai's technology mimics real-life scenarios
Apate.ai's flagship tool, Apate Voice, generates realistic phone personas that mimic human behavior. These AI bots can have different accents, age groups, and personalities to talk scammers into a conversation. The company also provides Apate Text for handling fraudulent messages and Apate Insights for analyzing data from these interactions. The system can detect legit calls from potential scams in 10 seconds and swiftly redirect misidentified calls back to the telecom provider.
Expansion
Apate.ai's global reach and partnerships
Co-founded by Macquarie University's Professor Dali Kaafar, Apate.ai has partnered with big names such as Australia's Commonwealth Bank. Despite having a small team of just 10 employees, the company's tech is already being used in Australia, Singapore, and the UK. It takes care of thousands of calls every day while working with governments as well as financial institutions. Now, the start-up is testing its services with a national telecom provider in Australia.
Defense strategy
AI in defense against evolving scam tactics
The need for such tech is urgent as scammers across the globe stole over $1 trillion in 2023 alone, the 2024 Global Anti-Scam Alliance reports. Many scams originate from Southeast Asia and are often tied to organized crime and human trafficking. To combat these threats, telecom provider O2 has launched its own AI decoy, dAIsy-a digital "granny" who responds with wordy anecdotes. Apate.ai co-founder Kaafar believes AI must play an equally dynamic role in defense against evolving scam tactics.