GoKawiilResearchers warn AI systems are highly effective at manipulating people, not just machines
At Black Hat USA 2026, security researcher Fred Heiding and former US National Cyber Director Chris Inglis presented findings showing AI's growing role in social engineering scams, which the FBI says cost Americans nearly $21 billion last year. Heiding argued that while AI can be used to defend against AI-driven technical attacks, it cannot easily counter AI's ability to psychologically manipulate humans.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Unlike software vulnerabilities, human cognitive biases can't simply be 'patched,' creating a lasting asymmetry between AI-powered deception and human defenses. As scams grow more sophisticated and costly, this gap suggests traditional cybersecurity tools alone won't be enough to protect people from AI-enhanced manipulation.
- AI-driven social engineering scams cost US citizens nearly $21 billion in the past year, per FBI data.
- Experts say AI can counter AI-based technical threats but struggles to offset AI's manipulation of human psychology.
- Fred Heiding and Chris Inglis presented this research on AI security at Black Hat USA 2026.
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See Yubico YubiKey 5 NFC Security Key on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: darkreading.com, 2026-09-11
Published there as: “Why AI Is So Good at Scamming Humans”
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