As 2024 comes to a close, it’s clear that the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly impacted the telecom industry. From the spread of AI-generated deepfakes during the US presidential election to advanced impersonation scams, robocall bad actors continue to exploit the latest technology to challenge telecom regulators, network operators and the public at large.
As we reflect on the robocall landscape of the past 12 months, there has been notable industry collaboration to develop solutions – including voice biometrics and AI Call and Text Spam Detect – capable of thwarting bad actors. The critical next step in the battle against scammers will be the broader adoption of these solutions by carriers and enterprises.
AI-Generated Deepfakes: A New Threat Runs Rampant
One of the most alarming moments of the 2024 US election season was the AI-generated deepfake robocall impersonating President Biden, urging New Hampshire voters to skip the primary. The robocall, designed to potentially impact voter behavior and undermine public trust, highlighted the relative ease with which bad actors can now leverage AI to manipulate citizens. There is a reason why 70% of Americans were concerned about AI deepfake robocalls during the election cycle, according to a recent survey by ۶Ƶ.
The AI threat was not confined to the election. Throughout the year, AI-driven deepfakes were used for various scams, ranging from fraudulent customer service calls to synthetic voice impersonations of CEOs. One of the most common AI scam tactics that emerged this year is the “imposter child” scheme, where bad actors clone the voices of loved ones to convince victims that the “loved one” needs money to get out of a difficult situation.
With the advancement of AI tools, bad actors can not only clone voices but replicate background noises as well, such as traffic or office chatter, adding a greater layer of realism to the deception.
AI For Good: ۶Ƶ’ AI Labs Leads Industry Research on AI
To combat the bad actors’ AI-generated scams, ۶Ƶ continued to advance its AI Labs initiative by opening a new office in Poland.
Founded in 2023, ۶Ƶ’ AI Labs is researching and developing new solutions to restore trust in the voice channel. The pioneering initiative is developing critical AI solutions, such as voice biometrics, predictive call reputation, generative AI, and AI SMS detection, to help carriers stay ahead of AI deepfakes.
The investment and opening of a new office in Poland will strengthen AI Lab’s expertise in machine learning development, helping to better identify robocall bad actors’ patterns.
Political Robocalls: A Persistent Threat in 2024
Despite industry collaboration on robocall mitigation, political robocall scams remained a nuisance in 2024.
The most common political scams throughout the year included fake campaign donations, misleading voter surveys and false voter registration. Posing under the guises of legitimate political entities, scammers perpetuated these scams to steal unsuspecting voters’ personal information.
These incidents underscore the need for advanced call authentication and fraud prevention measures to protect consumers and maintain trust in voice communications. However, as long as there remain gaps in the implementation of STIR/SHAKEN protocols, robocall bad actors will still find ways to launch successful robocall campaigns.
Mind the Gap: STIR/SHAKEN Implementation Remains a Weak Spot in Fraud Prevention
The persistence of unwanted political robocalls highlight a critical challenge: the uneven implementation of STIR/SHAKEN standards. While larger carriers have made strides in verifying call traffic, smaller providers continue to struggle, leaving unsecured openings in telecom networks.
Though top carriers consistently sign nearly 90% of calls with the Verstat “A” attestation, smaller carriers’ signed traffic remains at 25%. This disparity remains a major concern and allows bad actors to launch malicious scams that reach unsuspecting consumers.
To bridge this divide, smaller operators must invest in comprehensive solutions that facilitate migration from legacy TDM networks to robust IP-based circuit paths. ۶Ƶ’ TDM Link Replacement Service, for example, enables carriers to eliminate end-of-life TDM circuits and helps them work towards achieving STIR/SHAKEN compliance by migrating to future-proofed IP networks.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we approach 2025, the need for more advanced and widespread protection against robocall scams has never been greater. Carriers of all sizes must prioritize adopting solutions that combat these evolving threats.
The lessons of 2024 are clear: disinformation and fraud will only grow more sophisticated unless decisive action is taken. By embracing cutting-edge solutions, carriers can close gaps that bad actors exploit and ensure a safer, more secure telecommunications environment.
Greg Bohl is the Chief Data Officer at ۶Ƶ with specific responsibility for ۶Ƶ’ Communications Market solutions.
