AI Scams: Savi launches app to block fake kidnapper voices

Yes, and they're becoming terrifyingly realistic. Scams using AI-generated voices are the new frontier of digital deception, able to mimic loved ones with alarming precision. Quite a mess, considering how much we usually trust what we hear.

Someone decided it was time to act. Savi, a new startup, launched its app for iPhone and Android this week, promising to fortify our phones. Their mission is clear: keep us safe from these increasingly sophisticated voice-based tricks.

Savi's app acts as a real shield, analyzing calls to detect if the voice on the other end is artificial. If the AI recognizes a fraud attempt, it blocks the call or warns the user before any damage is done. It's like having a digital bouncer for your phone.

Think about scams where a "relative" calls asking for emergency money, perhaps with their voice perfectly cloned. Savi's app aims to intercept these deceptions before you can fall into the emotional trap. The startup raised $7 million in seed funding, a sign that the problem is serious and a solution is needed. Savi's app is available for iPhone and Android starting on Tuesday.