Pioneering the Fight Against AI Scams: GetSetUp Leads the Way for Older Adults

n today's digital landscape, AI-driven scams pose a significant threat, especially to older adults. These scams, ranging from sophisticated voice phishing to AI-generated fake news, can have far-reaching consequences, including influencing critical events like elections. In alignment with our proactive role during the COVID-19 vaccination initiative, GetSetUp proudly introduces "Scam Guard in the AI Era," an educational program and toolkit designed to empower active agers to navigate the challenges of AI confidently.

"Scam Guard in the AI Era" is more than just a series of classes; it represents a movement towards fostering a digitally safe and informed community of active agers. This initiative gains particular relevance with upcoming elections, where the potential impact of AI-generated misinformation on democratic processes cannot be underestimated. At its core, "Scam Guard in the AI Era" aims to equip older adults, a crucial voter demographic, with the ability to distinguish truth from fiction. GetSetUp will create a set of classes, resources, and toolkits over the next few months. Our classes cover a range of key topics, including 'AI Scams 101: A Quick Overview,' 'Don't Get Tricked: AI Voice Scam Awareness,' 'Deepfakes in Elections: What You Need to Know,' 'Deepfakes Demystified: Understanding AI-Generated Media,' and 'AI and Cybercrime: The Rise of Cyber Kidnapping,' among others.

Through collaborative efforts with industry leaders, "Scam Guard in the AI Era" ensures sessions that are not only comprehensive but also up-to-date with the latest advancements and challenges in digital security. This approach enables us to play a leadership role in broader societal efforts to combat digital scams. The program includes interactive sessions, toolkits, and resources developed in partnership with cybersecurity and digital literacy experts. These sessions will be prominently featured on our platform and made available to our partners, such as the New York State Office of the Aging, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and various other state and government entities. Moreover, these resources will reach millions more older adults through our extensive network, including partners like AOL, Centurylink, and SilverSneakers in the coming months, empowering all active agers with essential AI knowledge.

"Scam Guard in the AI Era" reaffirms GetSetUp's core mission: to empower active agers to embrace new life experiences and confidently navigate the digital world. Our commitment extends beyond just protecting our community from scams; it is about empowering them to lead secure, informed, and proactive digital lives.

As we adapt to the evolving digital landscape, our unwavering commitment remains steadfast in empowering, educating, and enriching the lives of older adults. "Scam Guard in the AI Era" exemplifies this commitment, ensuring that our community not only survives but thrives in the digital age with confidence and knowledge to use new digital tools like AI resourcefully and responsibly, enhancing their aging experience.

At GetSetUp, we recognize that AI is inherently neutral and complex—it can be a powerful force for good when used responsibly. We harness the potential of AI to enhance the lives of our community, empowering both learners and partners with this technology as a resource for improving life and aging. However, we acknowledge the potential misuse of AI, as with any technology. Recent news has highlighted instances of AI being exploited for scams and fraud. This underscores the importance of education and awareness in empowering our community to avoid falling victim to these scams and to appreciate the utility of AI when used responsibly.

"Scam Guard in the AI Era" sessions represent empowerment in an era marked by evolving digital threats. By educating and equipping our community with essential skills, we are not only protecting them against scams; we are nurturing astute digital citizens capable of thriving in an AI-driven world. We invite you to join us on this journey of learning and empowerment. Together, let's forge a safer, more informed digital world for everyone."