Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Commissioner), David Allen is encouraging as many people as possible to register for Get Safe Online’s free Artificial Intelligence (AI) webinar on 9 October which will examine the rapid advance in AI, highlight the ways it can be used for good but also raise awareness of the threats it can bring.
The hour-long educational webinar will focus on four main presentations from experts in their respective fields. Tony Neate, CEO at Get Safe Online will highlight the role of AI and the benefits it can bring, as well as the scams and threats that have arisen due to the fast development of its capabilities. Charlotte Hooper, COO at The Cyber Helpline will reveal some of the scams that the organisation has witnessed as a result of AI, and the impact that this has had on victims they have worked with. Maria Eira, Artificial Intelligence Expert at UNICRI (United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute), experts at the forefront of AI development within the UN, will demonstrate the positive potential of AI to support global law enforcement in combatting online child sexual exploitation and abuse. And finally, Anna Rowe, Co-founder of Love Said & Founder of Catch the Catfish, will discuss the increasing role of AI in the perpetration of romance scams – a particularly pernicious type of fraud which targets particularly emotionally vulnerable victims.
Talking about the webinar, Commissioner David Allen comments: “Astonishingly, it has taken less than two years from knowledge of artificial intelligence being confined only to tech specialists, to a term being seemingly on everybody’s lips.
“What we all now know is that it is behind a huge number of positive developments in almost every field but is also being used in a negative way, such as for committing fraud and spreading harmful misinformation and fake news.
“AI can be used as part of phishing scams to send emails and messages that appear to be genuine, even though their aim is to glean private and personal data that can be used fraudulently. Criminals are also using AI to mimic realistic voices and videos that scam people into believing the content is from family and friends in need.
“I encourage as many people as possible to log into this hour-long educational webinar to help raise awareness on how we can protect ourselves online. We need to not shy away from the mysteries surrounding AI and instead gain a greater understanding to help keep ourselves, friends and families safe.
“As your Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner, my role is to be the voice of residents within Cumbria, in respect of the Police and Fire services – I am your voice. If any member of the public has a concern about crime in their area, or around the Constabulary or Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, please raise it with me at commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or call 01768 217734.”
Detective Inspector Fiona Gray, of Cumbria Police’s Cyber and Digital Crime Unit, said: “We wouldn’t want to detract from the positives that AI technology can provide to people in their personal and professional lives.
“But with new technology comes opportunities for criminals to exploit that technology for their own means. This webinar will offer people the opportunity to hear more about the key threats and how to keep themselves safe.”
Tony Neate, CEO at Get Safe Online below: “AI has been with us for far longer than you might realise, playing its part in many aspects of our everyday lives from social media to satnav, online dating to booking a table.
“We want to make sure, that however you use AI, you do so safely, securely and with confidence. If you want to learn more, visit the Get Safe Online website for lots more info or join us at our forthcoming webinar 'Get AI-Safe Online', this Wednesday 9th October.”
If you wish to report to police you can do so online at Report a crime | Cumbria Police. You can also phone on 101. Always phone 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.