How teenagers can avoid falling for the tricks of artificial intelligence

      Fraudsters have learned to forge voices and faces using neural networks. During a financial security class, students were taught how to recognize deception and protect their data. An unusual session for teenagers took place at the social assistance department for families and children. It was part of the All-Russian lesson on financial security, but it was not dedicated to the usual bank cards or loans. The discussion focused on what concerns everyone who uses the internet today — the hidden threats posed by the development of artificial intelligence. Specialists showed students a presentation titled "The Dark Side of Artificial Intelligence." The title is not accidental. The teenagers were surprised to learn that modern fraudsters have long mastered neural networks and can forge someone else's voice or face using so-called deepfakes. Malefactors call pretending to be relatives, bosses, or even famous people and ask for money transfers. The voice sounds so realistic that it is almost impossible to distinguish it from the real one. The same technology allows for the creation of fake video messages where a person says things they have never actually said. After watching the presentation, the students had many questions. How can one tell if the person on the other end of the line is not a real person but an intelligent program? Can one trust videos at all if they can be so easily faked? Together with the specialists, the students analyzed several real-life examples and found out what simple rules help avoid becoming a victim of fraud. It turned out that the most reliable way is to call the person back personally at the number already saved in the phone and ask a question that an outsider would not be able to answer. One should also be cautious if the interlocutor is rushing, scaring, or asking not to tell anyone anything. At the end of the meeting, each participant shared their impressions. The teenagers admitted that they had not previously thought about such dangers and considered voice forgery to be something out of science fiction movies. Now they understand that technology is advancing faster than it seems, and one can no longer rely solely on their eyes and ears on the internet. The most important conclusion for everyone was that what saves in the digital world is not expensive antivirus software or complex passwords, but ordinary critical thinking and the habit of maintaining digital hygiene. Not clicking on suspicious links, not leaving personal data on dubious websites, and always double-checking unexpected requests for money. Elvira Safiullina, head of the department, emphasized that such lessons are as essential for teenagers as air. Children and youth spend a huge amount of time online but are not always aware of the risks that await them there. Financial security today is inextricably linked to digital literacy. The sooner a young person learns to recognize the tricks of fraudsters, the more at ease they will be in adult life. Such classes help not just to gain knowledge but to develop real skills for safe behavior in a high-tech world.