How AI is paving new paths in fraud protection - a look at O2's "Daisy, the AI grandma"

How AI is paving new paths in fraud protection - a look at O2's "Daisy, the AI grandma"

In an era where fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, O2 is using innovative technology to fight back against fraud. With the launch of 'Daisy', an AI-powered, deceptively real conversationalist, O2 is demonstrating how artificial intelligence (AI) can help outsmart fraudsters and protect consumers. This blog looks at how AI is being used to exploit both technology and human weaknesses, and the potential this holds for the future.

Fraud as a modern challenge

Phone fraud is a widespread problem that affects consumers worldwide. According to a study by O2, 22% of Brits receive fraudulent calls every week. Fraudsters often target older or less tech-savvy people and cleverly use social manipulation to steal personal data or financial information.

The need for effective fraud protection measures is therefore greater than ever. This is where "Daisy", O2's AI grandma, comes in: An innovative tool that engages fraudsters in a human-looking way to stop them from reaching real victims.

What is "Daisy", the AI granny?

Daisy is an AI developed by O2 that is specifically designed to "scambait" fraudsters - in other words, engage them in meaningless conversations. It combines various AI technologies such as speech recognition, machine learning and text-to-speech systems to have realistic conversations in real time. Daisy uses a deceptively real, older voice to give the impression that a gullible person is on the phone.

How Daisy works:

1. Voice recognition: Fraudulent calls are analyzed and converted into text
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2. Dialogue generation: An AI model generates suitable answers based on the conversations of real "scambaiters".
3. Voice output: The answers are delivered in real time by a text-to-speech system.

Through these technologies, Daisy is able to keep fraudsters on the phone for up to 40 minutes with no human intervention required.

The benefits of AI in fraud protection

1. Resource-saving: Daisy can deal with fraudsters around the clock without employees having to intervene. This relieves call centers and saves costs
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2. Education: By revealing the typical tricks used by fraudsters, Daisy helps to educate consumers about common scams.
3. Deterrence: Scammers who waste their time with Daisy are discouraged in the long term.
4. Scalability: AI can be easily adapted to new fraud methods, making it a sustainable solution.

AI as an ethical tool

While the use of AI is often viewed critically, Daisy shows that this technology can also be used to protect society. Instead of using AI exclusively for profit-oriented purposes, such as in marketing or data analysis, O2 shows that artificial intelligence can also help fight crime.

Daisy specifically exploits the weaknesses of fraudsters - such as their prejudices against older people - to deceive them and reduce their efficiency. This illustrates how AI can not only prevent but also actively combat criminal activity.

The role of education and prevention

In addition to technological innovation, O2 is also focusing on education. The "Swerve the Scammers" campaign encourages consumers to report suspicious calls and messages by forwarding them to the 7726 (SPAM) number. These reports help O2 to identify fraud patterns and further develop its protection mechanisms.

In addition, a video was published in collaboration with influencer Amy Hart, which reveals the tactics used by fraudsters. Amy, herself a victim of fraud, shows how important it is to remain vigilant and defend yourself against fraud. The combination of technology and education creates a comprehensive protection concept that takes the wind out of the sails of fraudsters.

Potential of AI in the fight against fraud

The use of Daisy marks a turning point in fraud protection. While conventional methods are often reactive, AI enables a proactive approach. But the potential goes far beyond its current use:

• Automated pattern recognition: In future, AI could independently detect and prevent suspicious activities in networks

• Personalized protection: Through machine learning, AI could offer customizable security measures based on the habits of individual users.
• International collaboration: AI can help analyze fraud patterns globally and uncover networks.

Conclusion: Shaping the future with AI

With Daisy, O2 has shown how artificial intelligence can be used to tackle current social challenges. By keeping fraudsters busy with a deceptively real conversation partner, O2 is not only protecting its customers, but also setting an example for the possibilities of modern technology.

The introduction of Daisy is a prime example of how AI can be used not only for innovation, but also for social responsibility. It shows that technology can not only provide tools, but also solutions to complex problems.

The message is clear: in an increasingly digital world, the intelligent use of AI is the key to effectively combating fraud and crime - while at the same time boosting consumer confidence.