AI Scams Proliferating

I'm sure a lot of people have noticed the proliferation of AI-generated scams popping up on social media using video and audio clips of well-known and respected businessmen offering investment schemes that promise high interest rates or returns.

- MARIANNE GO

I have personally seen AI-generated scams using the image and spliced audio of Ramon Ang, Lance Gokongwei, and Jaime Augusto Zobel, and have forwarded those clips to their various communications or public relations people, who in turn have complained to the social media platforms about the misleading investment offers, successfully ensuring that the perpetrators stop using the image and audio of their principals.

For some time, such videos disappeared—or at least I have not seen them pop up in the social media sites that I monitor.

But recently, a new version has surfaced. The most recent AI-generated scam involves spliced ABS-CBN news clips featuring broadcaster Karmina Constantino and Sen. Bam Aquino, giving the investment offer some form of "authenticity," as some viewers may think that if a trusted media outlet such as ABS-CBN is interviewing Sen. Bam—who also appears to be endorsing the offer—the investment is legitimate.

This time around, I sent a copy of the clip to BSP Gov. Eli Remolona Jr., hoping that the BSP can issue its own warning to the public about such AI-generated videos and perhaps embark on an educational campaign on how financial investments are supposed to work.

Even the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should issue its own warning and advisory, and likewise provide some guidelines.

I cannot assume—and in fact, highly doubt—that all of those who see such videos are able to discern that they are AI-generated, as they still sound too structured and composed, not natural—at least to my perception.