The Future of Crime is Here
Artificial intelligence isn't just revolutionizing technology—it's transforming cybercrime into something far more dangerous than we've ever seen. This podcast explores the terrifying reality of AI-supercharged attacks that are happening right now, using real-world examples from Seattle's devastating ransomware incidents as a launching point into a much darker digital landscape.
What We Cover
Join Ben and Chloe as they dissect how AI is fundamentally changing the cybercrime playbook. From the Rhysida ransomware attack that crippled Seattle's Port and exposed 90,000 people's personal data, to the Seattle Public Library's three-month digital blackout that cost over a million dollars to resolve, we examine how these "manual" attacks were just the beginning.
The New Threat Landscape
Discover how off-the-shelf AI tools are democratizing cybercrime, enabling small crews to execute attacks that previously required nation-state resources. Learn about AI systems that can attempt millions of system breaches per second, creating automated "lock picking" capabilities that no human defense can match.
Real Cases and Shocking Statistics
We explore the first documented case of a large-scale cyberattack executed without substantial human intervention, conducted by Chinese state-backed hackers using AI automation tools. The numbers are staggering—deepfake attacks occur every five minutes globally, digital document forgeries jumped 244% in a single year, and projected U.S. losses from AI-powered fraud are expected to reach $40 billion by 2027.
Personal and Systemic Impacts
Beyond the headlines, we examine how AI-generated voice clones can perfectly mimic your loved ones to steal money, how synthetic identities are flooding financial systems, and how deepfake technology threatens everything from voter integrity to criminal justice. The very fabric of digital trust is unraveling.
The Race Against Technology
While lawmakers scramble to pass legislation criminalizing harmful deepfakes and requiring traceable markers on AI-generated content, the technology advances faster than legal frameworks can adapt. We discuss the fundamental challenge facing law enforcement agencies structured to chase individual cases while confronting crimes that can target millions simultaneously.
Critical Questions for Our Digital Future
This episode concludes with the haunting question that defines our era—in a world where AI can perfectly replicate voices, faces, and writing, how do we prove our identity, and how can we trust that anyone is who they claim to be?
Why Listen
This isn't science fiction—it's happening now. Understanding these threats isn't just about cybersecurity; it's about preserving trust, identity, and security in an increasingly digital world. Whether you're a business owner, parent, or simply someone who uses the internet, this podcast reveals the invisible war being fought in cyberspace and its implications for everyone.