AI Deepfakes Are Impersonating Pastors to Try to Scam Their Congregations (www.wired.com)

Father Mike Schmitz, a prominent Catholic priest and podcaster, has recently become the target of AI-generated impersonation scams that seek to exploit his online following of over 1.2 million YouTube subscribers. In a public service announcement, Schmitz showcased deepfake videos where a counterfeit version of himself urged viewers to make donations and participate in scams, sounding alarmingly convincing despite subtle robotic tones. This alarming trend underscores a growing threat not only to religious figures but also to the trustworthiness of digital interactions, as many congregants struggle to discern between real and AI-generated communications. The significance of this issue lies in its broader implications for the AI/ML community and society at large. As scammers increasingly harness generative AI to create realistic impersonations, they capitalize on the established online presence of pastors and other authority figures. Cybersecurity experts warn that the merging of AI technology with social media poses risks of misinformation, fraud, and potential mental health repercussions for those interacting with these digital entities. Moreover, as faith leaders wrestle with the consequences of AI in their practice, this scenario highlights a critical need for ethical standards and education around the usage of AI in religious contexts, amid concerns about user susceptibility to delusions facilitated by AI engagement.