In the ever-evolving digital age, AI technology has made incredible strides, offering convenience and innovation in ways we never thought possible. I know I use AI every day for different purposes. But with every technological advancement comes new risks, as we all know. AI tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and unfortunately, some are being designed to trick, mislead, or even defraud people. So, how can we protect ourselves, our own kids and, in my case – my students, from falling victim to these AI-driven scams?

The answer might be simpler than you think: common sense and education.

These are the main topics I touch upon when I teach this lesson in my Digital Citizenship part of the Technology curriculum.

Always Question What You See

One of the most effective ways to protect yourself is by questioning everything. This is something I emphasize to my students during Digital Citizenship lessons: never blindly believe what you see or read online. Scammers and deceptive AI tools often rely on the assumption that people will accept information without scrutiny. Don’t let that be you. Our brains are designed to believe, to follow, in order to be a part of society and survive. Knowing this, we should really question everything to not fall victim to people that understand how the human brain works and take advantage of that.

Look for signs that something might be off. For example, if a message or post is riddled with grammatical errors or weird punctuation, that’s a red flag. Excessive use of exclamation points (!!!!) or all-caps in headlines is another. These are tactics often used to grab your attention, make content seem urgent, or push you to make impulsive decisions. Sensational headlines like “HUGE NEWS!!” or “BREAKING!!” that scream for attention should be approached with caution.

The Importance of Education

People are best protected when they’re educated on the topic. Just as we need to be aware of traditional people-written online scams (like the prince of Nigeria e-mailing you and asking you for 200$ coz he’s urgently fleeing the country, or those ground-breaking weight loss / hair growth etc. pills), we now also need to understand how AI can be used to mislead. AI tools, such as deepfakes or AI-generated content, are becoming so advanced that it can be hard to tell what’s real from what’s fake. That’s why staying up-to-date on the latest AI technologies and tricks is critical. Just read some tech news every now and then and research AI tools (most of them are free to use and very fun, actually).

Follow the latest AI development groups in Facebook for example, and learn how these tools are being used both ethically and unethically. Knowledge is power—by understanding how scammers use AI to deceive, you’re less likely to be misled.

Here’s two examples of how powerful and dangerous deepfakes actually are, with links to YouTube where they can be watched (click the pictures to go there and watch):

I feel like this is becoming too serious, so here’s a bonus extra video with how deepfakes may actually be used for fun and entertainment:

Double-Check Your Information

Another layer of protection is verifying the information you come across. Don’t rely on a single source to make decisions, especially if it seems too good to be true. Double-check facts and claims using trusted, reputable sources, like the biggest news medias or websites you trust and have proven to be serious. This can help you avoid being influenced by false or misleading content created by AI. Remember, just because something appears professional doesn’t mean it’s accurate or trustworthy.

Be Aware of Manipulative Tactics

AI tools are incredibly good at exploiting human emotions. Scammers often use AI to create content that stirs fear, excitement, or urgency in the reader. We call those “sellers of fear”. They know that when people are emotional, they’re more likely to make impulsive decisions and not check with the facts first. For example, phishing emails might use AI-generated text to create a sense of urgency, pushing you to click on a link or share personal information.

By recognizing these manipulative tactics, you can take a step back and make more rational decisions. Never rush into something because it feels urgent—take the time to assess whether what you’re seeing or hearing makes sense.

Question the Source

AI tools can easily generate realistic-looking websites, messages, or social media profiles, but the source of the content still matters. Before you trust anything, look into where it’s coming from. Is the source reputable? Are they known for providing reliable information, or is this the first time you’ve ever encountered them? Being critical of the source can help you filter out misleading or fraudulent content. But remember that this should not be the only thing you look into. Sometimes websites and profiles can be hacked and used for bad purposes!

In Conclusion

AI is an incredible tool that has the power to revolutionize industries, but like all tools, it can be misused. As teachers (and not only), we need to stay vigilant and use common sense to protect ourselves and our kids/students from AI-driven deception. By questioning what we see, staying educated, verifying information, and recognizing manipulative tactics, we can stay one step ahead of those trying to trick or mislead us. And this is all knowledge that needs to be passed onto the young minds around us!

The more informed and cautious we are, the better equipped we’ll be to navigate this rapidly advancing digital landscape.