AI impersonations a rising cyber concern — Trend Micro

As artificial intelligence reshapes the digital landscape in the Philippines, cybersecurity experts warn of unprecedented challenges ahead. The marriage of AI and cybercrime is creating sophisticated threats that could catch many Filipino businesses off guard, according to recent findings from cybersecurity firm Trend Micro.

“All security risk is ultimately business risk,” emphasizes Ian Felipe, Trend Micro’s Country Manager, highlighting how cybersecurity has become inseparable from business strategy in today’s digital age.

As Filipino companies increasingly embrace AI technologies, they face a new generation of cyber threats that are more personalized and harder to detect than ever before.

One of the most alarming developments is the emergence of “digital twins” - AI-powered impersonators that can mimic real people with frightening accuracy, Felipe warned.

By combining stolen personal information with advanced AI language models, cybercriminals can create convincing virtual copies of employees or executives.

When paired with deepfake technology that can fake someone’s voice and appearance, these digital twins open the door to sophisticated fraud schemes that could fool even careful observers, he added.

For Trend Micro, the threat landscape becomes even more complex with AI-powered scams targeting vulnerable Filipinos. These systems can automatically identify potential victims and engage them in conversations that feel remarkably human.

Known as “pig butchering” scams, these schemes use AI to build trust with victims before transitioning them to human operators who continue the deception through AI-generated personalities.

Social media platforms, which play a vital role in Filipino society, face new challenges as AI makes it easier to create armies of fake accounts that spread misinformation and scams.

These artificial personas can engage in conversations so naturally that distinguishing them from real users becomes increasingly difficult.

For Philippine businesses adopting AI systems, the risks extend beyond external threats. Companies must guard against their AI agents being hijacked and manipulated into performing unauthorized actions.

There’s also the risk of sensitive information being accidentally leaked through AI responses, a particular concern in a country with strong data privacy regulations, the company said.

The future of cybersecurity isn’t entirely bleak, however.

Experts such as those from Trend Micro recommend a multi-layered approach to protection, including AI-powered defense systems that can predict and prevent attacks before they happen. Regular employee training must now account for AI-enabled threats, helping staff recognize increasingly sophisticated social engineering attempts.

As the Philippines continues its digital transformation, the message is clear: cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought.