In February, a Fairfax resident lost $30,000 after believing a deep‑fake video of Elon Musk that promised a lucrative investment. The scam prompted George Mason University sophomore Lakshmi Katrapati to launch a local outreach program aimed at protecting seniors from similar AI‑driven fraud.
Word by World brings AI awareness to senior centers
Katrapati, who founded the community initiative Word by World, began visiting senior centers across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area to explain how artificial intelligence can be misused. Her goal is simple: help older adults understand that many videos and messages they encounter online are not real.
“I hope people realize what they see online is not real a lot of the time and they don’t believe what they see,” Katrapati said after a recent session at Brightview Fair Oaks in Fairfax. “I want to prevent cases like my neighbor.”
Hands‑on lessons and practical tools
During the hour‑long presentation, Katrapati showed examples of AI‑generated videos, pointing out tell‑tale signs such as unnatural facial movements, mismatched audio, and inconsistent lighting. She also distributed a simple “AI defense toolkit,” which includes steps for verifying sources, using reputable fact‑checking websites, and reporting suspicious content to platform moderators.
Attendees were encouraged to ask questions and practice spotting deep‑fakes on their own devices. “I just want to be aware of what artificial intelligence is all about,” said resident Charlie Potock. “Being an older person, we should be very aware of it. It’s scary.”
Impact beyond Fairfax
Since the program’s launch, Katrapati has delivered more than 30 presentations in Virginia and even extended her outreach during a summer internship in Mississippi. She often returns to the same centers for follow‑up sessions, noting that seniors have become more skeptical of unsolicited online offers.
“Some of them are more suspicious of the internet now, which is good, because a lot of them before used to be trusting of scams,” Katrapati observed.
Community response
Participants expressed gratitude for the timely education. Grace Mingione, another attendee, said she left the session eager to learn more about distinguishing trustworthy content. “Most everyone here is alone,” she remarked. “I’m already very cautious about anything I do, so this only makes it more important to do.”
Katrapati believes the program not only safeguards finances but also strengthens community bonds. “The sessions motivate me to know that I can make some sort of impact in the elderly generation,” she said.
Looking ahead
Word by World plans to expand to additional senior centers in the region and develop online resources that families can share with older relatives. By equipping seniors with the knowledge to spot AI scams, the initiative aims to preserve both financial security and the dignity of Fairfax’s aging population.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
