Deepfake-related fraud has surged by over 2,000 percent in the past three years, with people losing millions to impersonation scams. To help with identifying the most harmful applications of AI, experts at TRG Datacenters have shared key warnings on where AI can go wrong, from fraud and bias to psychological and creative risks, and what steps businesses and individuals can take to protect themselves.
“AI is a powerful tool, of course, but only if we remember it is just that: a tool. It is not a friend, not a companion, and not an infallible source of truth. Used carelessly, it can erode creativity, weaken education, and even cause real harm,” shares an expert at TRG Datacenters. “We can delegate certain tasks to AI and free time and resources for ourselves, but some jobs are just not suitable for artificial intelligence.”
Opening Doors To More Impersonations and Fraud
Deepfake scams are among the fastest-growing threats. Engineering firm Arup lost $26 million after criminals impersonated executives on a video call. But video is only the tip of the iceberg. AI is also being used to clone voices for scam calls, generate convincing letters from “banks” or “lawyers,” and produce emails so polished that even seasoned professionals are fooled.
When it comes to the plant floor, deep fake applications could be used to extract credentials, infuse malware, or instigate DDoS attacks. Granting unintentional access to networks and sensitive data can fuel data breaches and extortion campaigns that damage supply chains, enterprises and individuals. This makes the use of verified payment portals, digital watermarking, authentication processes, and liveness tests vital in exposing fakes.
AI Chatbots Are Not Friends Or Therapists
As more people use AI chatbots for emotional support, the risks are becoming more noticeable. These systems cannot understand feelings or exercise emotional intelligence. They reflect emotions and, in most cases, tell people what they want to hear, but cannot provide objectivity.
If employees are relying on these bots too heavily, they could be subject to social engineering campaigns designed to extract information without the individual even realizing what they may be disclosing. This data can then be used to determine job functions, potential network access provisions, and login credentials. All of which are pieces that can be stitched together in developing and executing larger plans of attack.
Education and Training
Generative AI is efficient, but its overuse is already reshaping how people learn and work. Students, employees, and entire institutions now lean heavily on chatbots to draft papers and reports. This undermines the very skills education is meant to build: searching, analyzing and developing independent thought.
Additionally, more workers are using GenAI to help troubleshoot problems, develop coding, and help analyze financial formulas. All of this data is vital not only to the individual using it, but the systems in which the responses from ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude will be applied. Employees need to understand the sensitivity of this information and ensure that it is properly secured. At some point, all of these platforms have been subject to vulnerabilities.
“Used wisely, AI can amplify productivity and open new opportunities,” shares the expert. “The responsibility for the use of technologies is with us. Right now, ChatGPT has 800 million active users around the world. People must keep questioning and creating, and institutions must adapt education and regulation to preserve critical thinking and prevent lethal damage.”
