Councillors warned about ChatGPT and other chatbots

Derry City and Strabane District Council has taken the step of warning councillors about the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

In correspondence seen by Derry Now, councillors were warned that ChatGPT and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chatbots could make it difficult to spot scams, spams, and phishes. This was due to the fact, AI has the ability to remove some tell-tale signs, including bad grammar.

Councillors were told: “All sorts of applications of AI are already to a point where they can fool a human being nearly all the time. 

“The ‘conversation’ you can have with ChatGPT is very credible and the ability to generate fake human faces that are nearly indiscernible from real photos is already here.

“Deepfake audio and video is quickly following behind as well.  These are types of AI used to create convincing speech sentences that sound like specific people saying things they did not say or show specific people doing things they have not done.

“With all this progressing at a rapid rate, we all need to view every communication as suspicious in the first instance.”

Councillors were advised to take time to verify anything which asked for details, including usernames, passwords and personal details.

They were also cautioned about anything which wanted them to approve access to something.

“Even if that item does not seem to be a risk, it may be used as a backdoor to other access,” councillors were warned. 
They were also asked to be alert to being asked about anything to do with money, including approval of an order or bank details.

Councillors were advised: “Ask questions, ask for help, and take the extra few moments necessary to confirm things are truly as they seem.  Do not think you are being paranoid, you are not. There are individuals and organisations out there that want to cause chaos!”

A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council told Derry News: “Communication was issued to all staff and elected members as a precautionary measure to alert everyone to the risk of spam and cybersecurity through email systems. 

“The advisory notice offered advice to staff and elected members to check all communication received and to check and verify all details such as usernames and requests for passwords and personal details.

“It also highlighted the fact that AI chatbot applications are making it more difficult for scams, spams and phishes to be identified and urged all staff and elected members to be always vigilant. 

“The Council regularly communicates with its staff and elected members about issues relating to its IT systems to create greater awareness and to encourage them to seek help and advice from the IT department should they have any concerns about any correspondence.

“This is good practice and a key element of the Council’s commitment to make the Council a safe place to work online.”