McAfee unveils AI project to protect users against deepfake scams

Online security services company McAfee has introduced a new technology called Project Mockingbird at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024. This tech uses artificial intelligence (AI) to spot fake audio, helping protect people from cybercriminals who use AI-generated audio for scams, bullying, and tricking the public about well-known figures. 

Cybercriminals are using fancy AI tools to create convincing scams, like faking someone's voice to ask for money or altering real videos with fake audio (called "cheapfakes"). To help people tell the difference between real and fake content, McAfee Labs developed an advanced AI model for detecting AI-generated audio. Project Mockingbird is super accurate (90%) in spotting this kind of fake content, giving users great protection. 

Steve Grobman, McAfee's Chief Technology Officer, explains that this tech is like a weather forecast for your digital world, helping users make smart decisions about what's real or not. It's a powerful tool to navigate the tricky world of AI. 

Project Mockingbird's goal is to help users avoid scams where a fake celebrity offers giveaways and know instantly if a video about a famous person is real or made with AI for bad reasons. McAfee is showcasing this new tech at CES 2024, proving their commitment to building a range of AI models to keep users safe across different platforms. 

The name "Project Mockingbird" is inspired by birds that mimic other birds' songs. In the same way, cybercriminals use AI to mimic voices and trick people. As scams get more advanced, consumers worry about whether what they see or hear is real or fake. 

McAfee has been using AI for over a decade to protect millions of users worldwide from online threats. They use multiple AI models to analyze threats from different angles, ensuring they give users the best advice. It's important to note that the info about Project Mockingbird might change, and this document doesn't promise anything about future releases from McAfee. They want users to stay safe online and make informed decisions. 

In the recent past, numerous incidents of deepfake videos and images including Bollywood celebrities Rashmika Mandanna and Kajol have jolted Internet and raised security and privacy concerns forcing the government to introduce an advisory to all social media platforms on December 26.