Yes, it can be safe to have AI on your phone, particularly if you’re using trusted apps from reputable developers. After all, many popular voice assistants, photo editing tools, and predictive text already use AI to improve your experience.

But not all AI tools are safe. Some misuse it to spread misinformation or scams. To stay safe, you should always:

Download apps from official app stores (like the Apple App Store or Google Play).
Check app permissions and reviews before installing.
Avoid apps that request access to unnecessary, sensitive information. For example, an app that asks to access your contacts or call log.
Keep your phone’s software up to date with the latest security protections.

AI scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but you can stay protected by being wary of these red flags:

If it sounds too good to be true: Unrealistic promises are a red flag. They could come in the form of a job offer, a competition win, or an investment opportunity.
Unexpected contact: Calls, emails or messages from someone claiming to be from your bank, HMRC, or a service provider, especially if you weren’t expecting them. AI tools are often used to make these look and sound convincing.
Poor lip-syncing or unnatural speech: In videos or calls, look for mismatched lip movements, robotic voices, or strange pauses. These are signs of AI-generated content.
Unusual or inconsistent backgrounds: AI images and videos sometimes contain warped backgrounds, strange lighting, or hands and faces that look slightly “off”.
Generic messages: Watch out for vague greetings like “Dear customer,” or messages that could apply to anyone. These are often mass-produced by bots.
Pressure to act quickly: Scammers often use urgency to stop you from thinking things through.
Requests to move platforms: Be cautious if someone asks to switch from a secure or official app to WhatsApp, text or email.
Deepfake videos or endorsements: Watch out for videos of celebrities promoting investment schemes or products. These can be deepfakes designed to look authentic.
Voice cloning: Scammers can now fake voices with AI. So, if a friend or family member calls asking for urgent money, hang up and call them back using their real number.
Demands for personal info or payment: Never share your bank details, passwords, or pay for a service you didn’t ask for. These are major red flags.
Fake websites that look real: AI can create realistic-looking websites. Check for odd web addresses (like misspellings or extra characters) and avoid clicking on links from unsolicited messages.

AI scams work similarly to other types of fraud and scams, in that scammers will look to manipulate and deceive victims into sending money, or sharing personal details. There are many different types of AI scams in circulation, but they all look to achieve the same goal.

Loan fee fraud: You’re accepted for a loan, but before it’s “approved”, you’re asked to pay a fee for insurance, processing or an admin charge. Once paid, the loan never arrives, and the scammer disappears with your funds.
Job scams: You apply for a job and are told you’ve been successful. But before you can start, you’re asked to pay for background checks, training, or admin costs. Once paid, the job offer vanishes, and so does the scammer with your money.
Social media competition: You’re told you’ve won a prize in a competition, perhaps one you never even entered. But to claim it, you need to pay a small fee for delivery, verification or admin. After you pay, the prize never arrives because the competition was fake.
Rental property scams: You find a great rental property online. The “landlord” asks for a deposit to reserve it, often claiming there’s a lot of interest or that you can’t view it in person. After you send the money, the property turns out to be fake — or already rented to someone else.