Dubai Cyber Chief Warns Public to Stay Alert Against Advanced AI Deepfake Threats

Cyber experts have warned that people can no longer rely on poor spelling or suspicious-looking messages to identify fraud. Threats such as deepfakes, phishing, and voice cloning are becoming increasingly sophisticated as criminals use AI to gather information about potential victims and create convincing messages, calls, and videos.

Amer Sharaf, chief executive of the Cyber Security Systems and Services Sector at the government-run Dubai Electronic Security Centre (Desc), stated that AI is allowing attackers to speed up methods that previously required far more manual work. However, he also noted that the same technology is improving cyber defences and helping security teams respond faster. "The AI threat has been a challenge across the entire globe," he told The National at the Gisec Global event in Dubai.

Safe Words and Caution

AI is increasingly being used to create fake social media profiles, clone voices, and generate convincing videos of public figures and relatives. Mr. Sharaf emphasized that deepfakes are among the top threats people should watch out for, particularly when someone appears to be asking for money or making an unusual request. His core advice is to double-check through normal means before proceeding with any transactions.

With voice and video cloning technology becoming more advanced, people are advised to establish "safe words" with family and friends to verify if a message is genuine. Solomon Gilbert, a former hacker who advises UK government and police forces on cyber security, recommended pausing when a message creates a sense of urgency. Additional protections include using two-factor authentication, password managers, keeping devices updated, and limiting the sharing of personal information.

'Both Terrifying and Encouraging'

The dual nature of the technology was highlighted during a Gisec panel featuring Michael Kelly, the four-time Emmy-nominated actor known for his roles in House of Cards and Jack Ryan. Kelly described how similar technology was used legitimately during the production of Jack Ryan after he tested positive for Covid-19 on the final day of filming, allowing his stunt double to perform a scene while Kelly's face was digitally applied.

Deepfake Detection and AI Risks

On Wednesday, Desc announced the launch of an AI model named Saraab to help detect deepfake videos. Developed by an Emirati team and unveiled at Gisec Global, the open-source tool scans videos frame by frame using a heat map on the face to identify signs of manipulation.

Additionally, experts at Gisec Global warned users to be cautious about what they upload to publicly available AI services. Jans D'Hert, a certified instructor at the Sans Institute, noted that data submitted to free or public-facing AI tools could potentially be used to train their models, highlighting the need for proper governance and regulation of AI agents.