Phone scams , or robocalls, are an ongoing problem, with Americans receiving nearly 3 billion spam calls monthly in 2023, according to Truecaller. Virgin Media O2, a UK company, has introduced Daisy, an AI-powered "grandma" tool designed to outwit scammers. Daisy mimics a kind elderly woman, keeping scammers engaged in long, time-wasting conversations. This reduces their ability to target real victims and educates people about phone scams. Daisy is powered by an advanced language model that processes scam calls, responds convincingly, and interacts as a grandmother, often frustrating scammers with her tech illiteracy and family anecdotes. In just one week, Daisy interacted with 1,000 scammers, with her longest conversation lasting 40 minutes. The tool also serves as a reminder to be cautious of unknown calls. Experts advise avoiding unsolicited contact, not sharing sensitive information, and verifying claims by directly contacting institutions. Families are encouraged to use code words to confirm identities, adding an extra layer of protection. Though Daisy is currently UK-only, its success may lead to international adoption, providing a clever solution to a global issue.
Vocabulary :
• scam (noun): A dishonest scheme to cheat or deceive someone.
• scammer (noun): A person who tricks others to steal money or information.
• robocall (noun): An automated phone call with a recorded message.
• fraud (noun): The crime of deceiving someone to gain money or benefits.
• sensitive (adj): Private or important, requiring careful handling.
• unsolicited (adj): Not asked for or wanted.
• code word (noun): A secret word used for security purposes.
• authentication (noun): Verification of someone’s identity.
• outwit (verb): To defeat or trick someone by being smarter or more clever than them.