Google's Gemini AI chatbot is seen on a phone in this file photo taken by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images in New York City in March 2024. Google is now using a version of its Gemini AI model to combat scams on Chrome and Search.
That familiar knot of anxiety when you click a link, hoping it's not one of those websites? You know the ones – the alarming pop-ups screaming about viruses and demanding you call a fake tech support number or download dubious software. It's a classic internet scam, and thankfully, Google is arming itself with a powerful new weapon: artificial intelligence.
In a significant move to bolster online safety, Google announced it's now employing a version of its advanced Gemini AI model directly within users' Chrome browsers. This on-device AI acts as a vigilant guardian, instantly analyzing webpages as you click on them, specifically looking for the tell-tale signs of these deceptive "tech support" scams.
This isn't Google's first foray into using machine learning for online protection, but the latest AI advancements bring a whole new level of sophistication. With improved language understanding and the ability to recognize subtle patterns, this technology can identify scams faster and more accurately than ever before.
One of the key advantages of this new system is its ability to combat a tactic called "cloaking." As Google highlighted last year, crafty scammers often present different versions of their malicious pages to Google's web crawlers (the automated systems that identify threats) than what a real user sees. This allows the scam to slip under the radar of traditional detection methods. However, with the on-device Gemini Nano model analyzing the live webpage you're actually viewing in Chrome's "enhanced protection" safe browsing mode on desktop, this trick becomes far less effective.
What's even better? Because the AI model runs directly on your device, it not only speeds up the detection process but also enhances user privacy, according to Jasika Bawa, a Group Product Manager for Google Chrome. Just like the existing safe browsing feature, if you stumble upon a potentially dangerous site, you'll receive a clear warning before you have the option to proceed.
The AI-powered protection isn't limited to desktop. Google is also extending its reach to Android users. If you have Chrome website notifications enabled, the browser will now warn you about suspicious alerts from potentially harmful sites and even offer an easy way to unsubscribe from them.
Beyond Chrome, Google is also wielding AI to clean up its Search results. For years, they've been working to prevent scammy links from even appearing, regardless of the device you're using. Since the introduction of AI-powered anti-scam systems in Google Search three years ago, they're now blocking a staggering 20 times the number of problematic pages.
Phiroze Parakh, Senior Director of Engineering for Google Search, emphasizes the transformative impact of AI, stating, "We've seen this incredible advantage with our ability to understand language and nuance and relationships between entities that really made a change in how we detect these scammy actors." He revealed that in 2024 alone, hundreds of millions of scam search results were removed daily thanks to these AI advancements.
Parakh provided a compelling example of AI's effectiveness: identifying and removing fake "customer service" pages or phone numbers for airlines. This particular type of scam has seen an impressive 80% decrease in Google Search results due to these AI-driven improvements.
It's important to note that Google isn't alone in this AI-powered fight against online criminals. Other tech companies and even government agencies are recognizing the power of AI in combating fraud. British mobile carrier O2 introduced "Daisy," an AI chatbot designed to waste phone scammers' time, while Microsoft has been piloting AI tools to analyze phone conversations for potential fraud. Even the US Treasury Department reported recovering a massive $1 billion in check fraud in fiscal year 2024 alone, thanks to the assistance of AI.
As scammers continue to evolve their tactics, the deployment of advanced AI by companies like Google offers a vital layer of defense for internet users. By bringing the power of AI directly to your browser and search results, Google is making significant strides in creating a safer and more trustworthy online experience.
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