AI Has Been Around Longer Than You Think

When most people think about AI, they picture ChatGPT or a Hollywood robot. But as Laura points out, the concept of artificial intelligence has been around since the 1960s. Alan Turing, famous for cracking Nazi codes, was already talking about machine intelligence back in the 1940s.

So, what’s changed recently?

The big shift came in 2023, when ChatGPT hit the scene. Unlike earlier AI tools, ChatGPT was conversational. You could actually 'chat' with it, like a helpful, if slightly robotic, assistant. That was a game-changer, especially for the public - suddenly, everyone had access to AI in their pocket.

But with great power comes, well, scams.

Why People Don’t Trust AI - And Why That Makes Sense

A big theme in this episode is trust - and how easily it can be shaken when we don’t understand what’s happening under the hood.

Laura breaks it down:

• Many people don’t know how their data is used.

• AI tools often ask for lots of personal information.

• Most of us don’t have time (or spoons) to read the terms and conditions.

• Scammers know this - and exploit it.

Think about it: If you wouldn’t post something in a blog or tell it to a stranger in the pub, should you really put it into an AI tool?

Her tip? “If you don’t know who built it, or where your data is going, don’t upload your face, voice, or life story.”

Deepfakes, Voice Clones, and the New Face of Scams

Let’s talk deepfakes.

These AI-generated videos and voice recordings can mimic real people almost perfectly. That means a scammer could fake a phone call from your bank, or even from your mum. It's not just theory. It’s happening now.

One big area of concern? Identity verification. Banks often ask for video or voice ID to confirm who you are. But if scammers get hold of just a short voice clip, they can potentially create an audio deepfake that tricks systems. That’s terrifying.

Laura’s advice: don’t record or upload your voice or face unless it’s for a verified purpose from a trustworthy company. Always double-check URLs, terms of use, and privacy policies.

AI Is Already in Your Life - Even If You Don’t Realise It

While the media tends to focus on futuristic AI, Laura reminds us: “AI is already everywhere.” Here are just a few examples:

• Netflix & Spotify recommendations? AI.

• Banking decisions (like credit scores)? AI.

• Self-checkouts, Snapchat filters, and autocorrect? Yup, also AI.

You’re probably using AI 10 times a day without even thinking about it. And most of the time, it’s fine. But when it crosses into private data or decision-making that affects your life—like job interviews or healthcare—that’s when things get serious.

How to Stay Safe: Tips You Can Use Today

Laura offers some grounded, practical advice that anyone can follow:

1. Use tools from known brands
   Stick with big names like Google’s Gemini or Microsoft’s Copilot. You already trust them with your data - don’t jump into the unknown.

2. Read the privacy policies (or find someone who can explain them)
   Look for blogs or trusted people who break it down clearly, just like we trust Martin Lewis with money advice.

3. Avoid uploading sensitive content
   Don’t give your full name, voice, or ID to tools you’ve never heard of.

4. Reject cookies when possible
   Those little popups asking about cookies? They track your location and behaviour. Reject them unless you absolutely need the feature.

5. Know it’s not your fault
   Scammers are getting slicker every day. If you fall for one, don’t blame yourself - learn from it and share the experience with others.

Can AI Be Helpful for Disabled and Neurodivergent People?

Short answer: Yes, massively.

Laura, who has dyslexia, shared how she uses ChatGPT to help structure her ideas when applying for grants or writing content. “It’s like having a sounding board,” she explains. She feeds in her rough thoughts, and the AI helps turn them into something polished. Then she edits it to keep her own voice and meaning.

Other tools like Fathom can record meetings and generate transcripts, great for anyone with memory or processing issues. And AI can help with planning, prioritising, and managing executive function challenges, especially for people with ADHD or autism.

But again: Only use tools you trust, and be clear about where your data is going.

Will AI Take Our Jobs?

This is one of the biggest fears people have, and it’s valid.

Yes, some jobs will change or go away. Customer service roles, for instance, may be replaced by AI chatbots. But Laura argues that many new roles will be created too, especially in areas like data labelling, AI oversight, and ethical design.

The key, she says, is upskilling. People need support and training to move into new roles. And the government, employers, and educators need to take responsibility for making that shift possible.

AI, Accessibility, and Older Adults

What about people who aren’t online much? Or older adults who aren’t confident with tech?

That’s a serious concern. As Lucy points out, even accessing your bank is hard if there’s no branch nearby and you don’t know how to use a smartphone.

Laura’s take: Confidence is the first barrier.

Many older people blame themselves when something goes wrong with tech. We need to shift the mindset: “It’s not your fault, it’s just a poorly designed system.”

Digital inclusion doesn’t just mean giving people a tablet. It means ongoing, compassionate support, and designing tools that work for everyone, not just the most tech-savvy.

Is AI Biased? Yes. Let’s Talk About It.

If only one kind of person designs AI, it only works well for them.

That’s why AI sometimes can’t recognise certain faces, misreads facial expressions (especially from autistic or disabled people), and fails to understand different accents. This is a massive issue in recruitment, education, and policing.

Laura’s quote of the day:

"We need AI that works for the 8 billion, not the 8 billionaires.”

That means more diverse people working in AI, and building systems with ethics and inclusion in mind from day one.

AI in Education: Useful or Cheating?

It depends.

Laura uses the example of coding. You can use AI to write perfect code. But then you miss the process of learning how it works. Same with essay writing. If ChatGPT writes your essay, what are you really learning?

For young people, the advice is simple: Use AI as a tool, not a shortcut. Use it to plan, to brainstorm, to organise, but still do the learning yourself.

The Big Wins: Where AI Is Genuinely Amazing

Let’s end on a high note.

Laura shared two incredible success stories:

1. A taxi driver using AI to improve his written English
   He used ChatGPT to polish his emails. His customer service improved, and he learned better English by seeing how his words were rephrased.

2. Breast cancer detection
   AI can now detect breast cancer in scans up to five years earlier than doctors, potentially saving thousands of lives.

These are the kinds of breakthroughs that show AI isn’t just a threat. It’s a tool. And with the right boundaries, education, and compassion, it can help us all.

Final Thoughts: Stay Curious, Stay Safe

Laura’s final message? Don’t be scared, be informed.

AI is here to stay. But with the right tools, guidance, and support, it doesn’t have to be dangerous. It can be empowering, inclusive, and even life-changing.

And that’s what Scam Me is all about: breaking down the scary stuff and helping our community build skills, confidence, and safety in the digital world.

Want to learn more? 

Listen to Scam Me’ here on YouTube: Learning Inclusive Change

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And remember, cybersecurity starts with you!