The Growing Threat of AI-Assisted Scams and the Call for Legal Protections

Scams are becoming increasingly alarming as artificial intelligence (AI) plays a larger role. Each year, Americans lose billions to impostor scams, with reports nearly tripling since 2020. Even before AI, impersonation fraud was widespread, but now, the power of cloning tools has intensified.

Consider the case of Jennifer DeStefano from Arizona. In 2023, she received a phone call and heard her daughter’s voice, pleading for help. A man then claimed he had kidnapped her and demanded a $1 million ransom, later reducing the demand to $50,000. DeStefano verified her daughter’s safety before payment. Testifying before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee, she later realized it was an AI deepfake scam involving cloning of her daughter’s voice.

The rapid development of AI exacerbates this problem. AI advancements make person imitation simpler and recognition of real voices or images more difficult. Voice duplication requires only three seconds of audio. Deepfakes are a concern because they compromise privacy and security without needing permission.

Should we have rights against digital replicas?

The U.S. Copyright Office, after a study with over 10,000 public comments, recognized substantial gaps in AI-related protections. They proposed that Congress implement federal law to protect against unauthorized digital copies. The AI threat extends beyond entertainment and politics, affecting every societal aspect.

Creative professionals note the issue firsthand. From musicians to voice actors, they worry about generative AI infringing on their work and identities. AI developers reportedly exploit copyrighted materials, raising calls for intellectual property protections. The Alliance for Secure AI, with advisor Nico Zviovich, initiated “Creatives for Secure AI” to rally professionals for identity protection.

Congress is noticing the problem. The bipartisan NO FAKES Act aims to shield Americans by establishing intellectual property rights to guard against unauthorized digital replicas of voices and images. It emphasizes that personal identity belongs to the individual.

With AI progressing rapidly, there is an urgent need for protections aligned with this technological evolution. How many unreported cases like DeStefano’s exist? How many artists will find their identities used without consent? Addressing these questions starts with sensible legislation. The NO FAKES Act offers a solution, favored across political lines.

The Act passed the Senate Judiciary Committee without opposition but awaits a Senate vote. Congressional leaders need to let the process advance and vote on the bill.

Deepfakes are advancing. Scams continue to worsen. It’s critical for voices to rise against this encroachment and for Congress to heed the call.

Nico Zviovich serves as an advisor for The Alliance for Secure AI and launched Creatives for Secure AI. He is also a noted film producer and chief impact officer of MovieGoer.