Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has shared concerns about how productive neural networks like ChatGPT could be misused to fuel network fraud and spread disinformation when they fall under unscrupulous hands. He expressed these thoughts in a recent interview with the BBC, stressing that the technology’s strength lies in its ability to generate highly convincing text, which could be exploited to deceive people by impersonating others.
Wozniak pointed out that artificial intelligence is capable of producing content that sounds impressively knowledgeable, a trait that scammers could leverage to lure victims. Yet he also noted a fundamental limitation: AI lacks genuine emotions in its communication with humans. Because these systems do not feel, they can miss the nuanced signals of genuine human interaction, a gap that keeps neural networks from truly replacing real people in conversations or decision-making processes.
To improve safety, he suggested policymakers might require the publication of fake posts generated by algorithms, making it clear when content is machine-produced. He also called on major technology companies to take responsibility for the outcomes their systems generate. Still, he tempered his views by acknowledging that regulators themselves are not infallible and may not always get everything right, which could affect the effectiveness of any proposed safeguards.
According to Wozniak, the financial incentives that drive much of the tech industry could pose a challenge to risk mitigation efforts. He warned that profit motives often shape priorities in ways that may sideline robust protections, which is a worrying prospect for those who rely on digital platforms for trustworthy information and secure online interactions. The conversation reflects a broader worry shared by many experts: as AI tools become more capable, the potential for harm grows if countermeasures lag behind demand and development.
In his analysis, Wozniak emphasized that while AI can simulate sophisticated discourse, the human touch remains irreplaceable. This assertion aligns with concerns from researchers and policymakers about maintaining ethical standards, transparency, and accountability in the deployment of intelligent systems. He believes it is crucial to design safeguards that preserve human oversight and prevent the propagation of deception at scale, especially in public forums and critical communications channels. The BBC report frames these points within a larger dialogue about how society can harness powerful technologies without surrendering control to automated manipulation.
Overall, the discussion underscores a tension between innovation and protection. Wozniak’s remarks suggest a path forward that blends technical safeguards with regulatory clarity and corporate responsibility. The aim is to cultivate an environment where AI acts as a tool that augments human judgment rather than undermines trust, while also informing the public about the origins of online content. This perspective echoes ongoing debates in North America about the right balance between encouraging breakthrough technologies and enforcing safeguards to minimize risk and protect consumers from fraud and misinformation.