Staying Safe in the Age of AI Scams

Artificial Intelligence has given hackers a powerful new weapon. Today’s scams and phishing attacks are more convincing, more personalized, and spreading at a pace we’ve never seen before. In this rapidly evolving landscape, protecting your digital identity is no longer optional—it’s essential.

This talk is designed for everyday individuals who may not be security experts but want simple, practical techniques to stay safe online. You’ll learn how to recognize the latest AI-driven fraud tactics and build strong habits to safeguard your bank, credit card, and personal accounts.

Presenter Nirupama (Niru) Mallavarupu is a technology and cybersecurity professional with over 15 years of experience building secure digital systems. She spent five years at IBM working in cybersecurity, where she helped design platforms that protect sensitive information and strengthen online security practices. Her work focused on identifying risks, improving data protection, and helping organizations stay resilient against cyber threats. She has created an agentic app, ScamKat, that actively guards your phone and email accounts from threats.

Nirupama also founded a technology platform, MobileArq, serving public schools across the US, giving her hands-on experience securing systems used by families and communities. She is passionate about making cybersecurity practical and understandable, helping people take simple steps to stay safe online.