AI Firms Face Tough Questions on Fraud Prevention

Senators Maggie Hassan and Josh Hawley have taken a stand against AI-driven scams. They sent letters to major AI companies, asking how they plan to stop fraudsters from misusing their technology. The companies include Anthropic, Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Perplexity, and xAI. The senators want to know how these companies track and prevent scams on their platforms. They also asked about user authentication and cooperation with the government to fight fraud. The senators warned that AI is making scams more advanced and frequent. Criminals can use AI to gather personal details and create convincing fake identities. Experts agree that AI is fueling a new wave of fraud. Free AI tools allow anyone to create fake documents, calls, and websites quickly. Before AI, scammers needed technical skills or hired experts to build fake websites. Now, even non-experts can create realistic scams in minutes. These scams often target older adults, who lose billions each year. A report by Deloitte predicts that AI-driven fraud could cost Americans $40 billion by 2027. The senators also asked about the companies' fraud prevention strategies and investments. They want to know how these companies protect sensitive customer information. The senators gave the companies until January 14 to respond. Hassan has focused on scams during her time on the Joint Economic Committee. Hawley recently introduced a bill to hold AI companies accountable for harm caused by their systems.