Good morning future-focused leaders.

Last week, I almost fell for a scam—for the first time in 30 years of owning a computer.

I thought I was completing a simple CAPTCHA. In reality, my keystrokes were triggering a hidden command that would have given a scammer access to my laptop.

Only my firewall caught it in time.

It was a sharp reminder: AI scams are getting smarter, and no one is immune.

What else we cover this week:

• Call for OT’s and care planners to research AI for older adults

• Is AI conscious? A neuroscientist says no

• AI promised to to curb over-prescribing in aged care

• Unfortunately, AI can now call your mum 🤦‍♂️

• And more...

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EXPLAINER

🛡️ How to protect yourself from AI scams and data leaks

In brief: AI is making work faster—but it’s also giving cybercriminals new tricks. If you work in aged care operations, you need to be alert to the risks, especially around scams and accidental data leaks.

The new reality

According to the Australian Cyber Threat Report 2023–24, cybercrime has surged, with healthcare and social assistance organisations accounting for 6% of all affected businesses in Australia. AI tools now make it easy for attackers to generate convincing emails, impersonate real organisations, and trick people into handing over sensitive information.

At the same time, professionals using AI for work risk leaking confidential information if they are not careful about what they upload into public tools.

The risks you need to know

1. Scams are more sophisticated
   AI allows attackers to craft better phishing emails, clone voices, and even mimic writing styles. You might get an email that sounds exactly like your CEO, asking you to process a payment or share internal files.
   

2. Data leaks through public AI tools
   When you paste sensitive information (like client data, staff lists, rosters, financial records) into a public AI tool, you may be unknowingly sharing it with third parties. Even if the tool seems secure, you cannot guarantee how the data will be stored or used.
   

3. Fake websites and AI-generated malware
   Scammers are now using AI to create realistic fake websites and deploy malicious files that can steal login credentials or infect organisational systems.

How to protect yourself

1. Use official channels only
   Always verify unexpected requests, even if they seem urgent or familiar. If you get an email asking for money transfers, client files, or password resets, check directly with the sender using a known phone number.
   

2. Treat AI platforms as public spaces
   Never paste confidential information into a public AI tool unless you have verified that your organisation has an approved, secure version. Assume that anything you enter could be accessed by others.
   

3. Stay updated and cautious
   Keep software updated. Use multi-factor authentication. Make sure you have strong, unique passwords.
   

4. Get familiar with common scam tactics
   Attackers often pressure you to act quickly or bypass normal procedures. If something feels rushed or secretive, slow down and check.

The bottom line

AI is a powerful tool for professionals, but it is just as powerful for attackers. In aged care operations, where client trust and organisational integrity matter, protecting yourself from scams and leaks is now part of the job. Simple habits can make all the difference.

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💡 Research: AI to assist care planning – The Central Coast Health & Wellbeing Living Lab and the University of Newcastle are exploring how AI can help care professionals create better care plans for older adults. Occupational therapists and care planners are invited to a 75-minute in-person session, with a $160 gift card offered for participation. Learn more here or contact [email protected]

💊 AI project to curb over-prescribing in aged care – A new AI initiative aims to reduce over-prescribing of medications in Australian aged care homes by identifying at-risk residents and flagging potential medication issues early. The $1.8 million project, led by Dr Nasir Wabe of Macquarie University, will pilot AI-driven solutions in 12 residential facilities, hoping to improve care quality and minimise medication-related harm.

🤡 AI will call your mum so you don’t have to – Just in time for Mother’s Day and for just $29.95 USD a month, a startup offers an AI service that will fake your calls to elderly parents. Because nothing says "I love you, Mum" like outsourcing it to a robot. (This is exactly the type of AI we don’t need.)

🧐 Conscious AI? Not likely, says neuroscientist – Anil Seth argues that AI will never achieve true consciousness because it lacks a living, biological body. Instead, understanding AI and neural networks might help us better grasp human consciousness, which Seth describes as a "controlled hallucination" shaped by survival-driven predictions. (Heads up: it’s a long, philosophical read, perfect for a thoughtful coffee break.)

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PODCAST

🔴 Code Red: Cybersecurity Uncovered - Episode #5 in the AI in Aged Care Series

Jenn West, Cyber Risk & Resilience Specialist at SA Power Networks and Elena Muller, National Account Manager at Person Centred Software Australia discussing cybersecurity in the age of AI, and what (not) to do if you find a USB in a carpark.  Listen now on Buzzsprout or wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm not here to hype AI. I'm here to help you understand it, use it, and learn as it evolves. Whether you're testing a new tool, using it to lighten your workload, or keeping pace with the changes, I hope you found something here worth your time.

Feel free to forward this to your network or share it with your team.

See you next Tuesday,
George