Introduction: Riddle Me This, ChatGPT

I’ll be honest, writing a book on AI is a daunting task given the frenzied pace of advancement and change. The pace isn’t just rapid; it’s exponential. Breakthroughs today may be old news tomorrow. In my lifetime, I’ve witnessed the birth and adoption of the Internet, the shift from landlines to cellular, and the transition from ultra-slow dial-up modems that sounded like screaming robots to cable and fiber-optic Internet services. I’ve seen the move from on-premise mainframes to cloud computing, the “iPhone moment” for mobile phones, and the demise of Blockbuster Video in favor of streaming services like Netflix. However, I’ve never seen advancement and adoption at the pace we’ve experienced with AI since the “ChatGPT moment” in November 2022.

That was the day the world realized that many things once dreamed of in science-fiction movies are either already here or possibly just around the corner. When it comes to those sci-fi movies, people can take their pick. Some see the benevolent human and computer interaction between Tony Stark and Jarvis or the helpful yet indifferent computer interactions in Star Trek. Others envision doomsday scenarios like those depicted in Terminator and The Matrix.

But, no matter who you talk to, everyone agrees that AI is changing everything. So, in a field that moves at such breakneck speed, capturing anything of lasting value is a challenge. How is it possible to write a book that won’t be obsolete by the time it’s sitting happily on a shelf in local bookstores?*

The key lies in focusing on the fundamental truths that underpin this new era—truths about the nature of human intelligence, of artificial intelligence, about the ways they work together, and the ways they clash. While specific technologies may change, these underlying principles remain constant.

Human intelligence is incredibly versatile. It’s capable of learning, reasoning, and creating in ways still unmatched by machines. We humans have an innate ability to understand context, read between the lines, and make what seem to be magically intuitive leaps. These are our superpowers in the age of AI.

But AI has superpowers of its own. It can process vast amounts of data in the blink of an eye, spot patterns that elude human perception, and make decisions with unwavering consistency. Additionally, as AI systems become more advanced, they’re starting to match or even exceed human capabilities in certain domains.

A Tale of Two Intelligences

When human intelligence and artificial intelligence work together, the results can be transformative. But when they’re pitted against each other, the consequences can be dire. As we’ll see in the coming chapters, bad actors are already using AI to exploit human vulnerabilities to deceive and manipulate on a massive scale.

This is the tale of two intelligences, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. To navigate this new landscape safely, we need to understand both sides of the story. We need to know how to leverage the power of AI while also protecting ourselves from its potential abuses.

That’s where this book comes in. In the pages that follow, we’ll explore the unchanging truths about human and artificial intelligence. We’ll grapple with the challenges posed by their rapid convergence. And we’ll arm ourselves with knowledge and strategies to thrive in this new era. So buckle up and get ready for a journey into the heart of the AI revolution. The future is here, and it’s up to us to shape it.

Deception: What’s Old Is New Again

Deception has been a part of the human story since the very beginning. From ancient legends like the Trojan horse to the latest headline-grabbing scams, we’ve always been both captivated and terrified by the power of illusion. But today, we’re facing a new chapter in this age-old tale. The deceits are getting more sophisticated, the fakes more believable. Why? Because deception has found a powerful accomplice: artificial intelligence.

AI doesn’t make classic cons like “phishing” emails and too-good-to-be-true offers obsolete. Instead, it makes them more prevalent than ever. AI enables bad actors to work at greater scale, and with greater sophistication. AI can now generate phishing emails that perfectly replicate your boss’s communication style, or create a convincing audio clip that sounds exactly like a loved one pleading for urgent help. Yesterday’s scams seem almost quaint in comparison to the AI-enhanced deceptions of today.

The AI Inflection Point

We find ourselves at a pivotal moment—a juncture where the trajectory of technological advancement is poised to surge exponentially. AI is no longer a distant, futuristic concept. It’s present, it’s potent, and it’s being harnessed for both benevolent and malicious purposes. On the positive side, AI is transforming domains from healthcare to education, offering unprecedented insights and efficiencies.* However, it’s also being exploited to deceive, manipulate, and defraud on a scale never before possible.

We live at a time when the boundary between fact and fiction is more blurred than ever. Videos can be fabricated from scratch, voices can be synthesized with eerie precision, and images can be altered beyond recognition. We’re entering an era where our senses can no longer be trusted, and where the very notion of objective reality is under siege.

How to Read This Book

Throughout our journey, we’ll immerse ourselves in the world of deepfakes, disinformation, and AI-driven scams. We’ll investigate how these technologies operate, who’s deploying them, and what makes them so effective. But the aim isn’t solely to sound the alarm; it’s to empower us all to navigate this new landscape with confidence and resilience.

As you embark on this journey, prepare to be transported into a world where AI-driven deception blurs the line between truth and fiction. Each chapter begins with a brief dramatization, crafted like a gripping thriller or a news exposé. These stories introduce characters grappling with the fallout of synthetic media.

Through detailed scenes and relatable characters, these opening narratives paint a vivid picture of a future where cutting-edge technology is weaponized to deceive on an unprecedented scale. They serve as visceral wake-up calls, powerful reminders of how high the stakes can be in the battle against AI-driven deception.

But this book is more than a collection of cautionary tales. It’s your compass for navigating this new realm of deception. As you dive into the main portion of each chapter, you’ll be equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to detect deception, safeguard yourself and your loved ones, and counter the tactics of scammers and manipulators.

Even in this age of artificial intelligence, our greatest asset is our human intelligence.

You’ll learn to critically evaluate media, verify sources, and fact check assertions. You’ll uncover the mental ploys used by those who seek to deceive, and—even more importantly—you’ll discover how to fortify your mind against them. Together, we’ll see that even in this age of artificial intelligence, our greatest asset is our human intelligence.

My Approach to AI, Life, and This Book

I believe that AI is a net benefit to humanity. It is a tool. A tool that can be used to build or destroy. To help…or to harm.

As a security professional, one of my main jobs is to understand and explain how things go wrong. How tools can be misused. And how cybercriminals can use tools and leverage human nature against us. But technology is just technology.

Technology molds to the hands and wills of those who wield it.

I’ve been using AI to enhance my work and life since the pre-ChatGPT days. I see AI as a valued co-worker and creative partner. In his book, Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, Wharton Professor of Management Ethan Mollick describes two basic modes/methods for using AI as a co-worker:...