Combatting Global Phone Scams with AI: Macquarie University’s Revolutionary ‘Apate’ Bots

Tim - Pryme|AI News Nuggets
3 min readJul 8, 2024
DallE by Author

In an ingenious use of artificial intelligence, Professor Dali Kaafar and his team at Macquarie University have developed ‘Apate,’ a set of conversational AI bots designed to combat the global scourge of phone scams. Named after the Greek goddess of deceit, Apate’s mission is to deceive the deceivers, engaging scammers in lengthy conversations to waste their time and gather intelligence. This proactive approach represents a significant leap forward in the fight against cybercrime, protecting individuals and businesses from fraudulent activities.

The Mechanics of Apate

Apate bots, including characters like Malcolm and Ibrahim, are sophisticated AI systems that mimic real human interactions. These bots engage with scammers, leading them through complex, time-consuming conversations. By doing so, they divert scammers’ attention away from potential victims and gather crucial information to disrupt scam operations.

Key Features of Apate:

  • Realistic Conversations: Mimic human interactions to keep scammers engaged.
  • Intelligence Gathering: Collect data to help authorities understand scam tactics.
  • Scam Disruption: Waste scammers’ time, reducing their efficiency and…

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Tim - Pryme|AI News Nuggets

A tech-savvy Business Partner and AI-Evangelist driving digital transformation through AI/data-powered solutions in a global logistics enterprise.