O2, the UK’s largest mobile network operator, has unveiled an innovative solution – a voice chatbot called Daisy (“dAIsy”), whose main goal is to draw scammers away from real victims by engaging them in long, fruitless conversations. 

How does Daisy work? 
Daisy was designed to counter popular scam techniques that often target the elderly. Seniors, because of their trusting nature and reduced familiarity with modern technology, are one of the most common target groups for scammers. Con artists, skilled at manipulation, seek to convince older people to hand over money, personal information or banking information. 

Daisy imitates the voice of an elderly person – slow, calm, typical of this age group – which makes the scammers believe they are talking to a real victim. When scammers try to arrive at the detailed heart of the scam, the chatbot gives false information, such as fictitious bank details, while prolonging the conversation. 

To “attract” scammers, O2 deliberately included Daisy’s number in the lists that scammers use to dial potential victims. As a result, the chatbot regularly receives calls from people trying to extort money. 

Is the method effective? 
Call recordings released by O2 show frustrated scammers wasting time on dozens of minutes of calls to Daisy. Not only does the chatbot effectively delay the moment the call ends, but most importantly, it reduces the number of calls the scammers could make in that time to real victims. 

Daisy is an effective, if partial, solution – it acts as the first line of defense, reducing the number of real victims by wasting the scammers’ time. This is an example of how artificial intelligence can serve a good purpose and support the most vulnerable in society. 

Source cover photo: O2, press mat. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV_SdCfZ-0s