The Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that in 2025, $15.6 million dollars in losses in North Carolina were recorded in "AI-related" internet crimes.
But a Durham-based nonprofit is working to lower that number by hosting workshop that find ways to utilize and protect ourselves.
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Digital Durham, in partnership with the City of Durham, hosted its very first "Digital Empowerment Day." This aims to build people’s confidence in using AI and to highlight the rising risks of rapidly evolving technology.
“Our message is really about being informed and not sticking your head in the sand and saying, No, AI is a scary thing.” said Laura Fogle, founder of Digital Durham.
One of the attendees, Kim Bynum says she wants to help keep her senior mother up to speed.
“She knows how to interact, open it, do things, but she's also like, you know, something on her phone, it could be, and she'd be like, Well, this thing keeps popping up. Hey, don’t don't touch that.” said Bynum.
The event had a lot for members of the community from workshops for all ages and skill levels to expert speakers.
One of those speakers was Kae David, who has more than a decade of experience in cybersecurity. She told WRAL that once people know how the technology works – machines that can think like humans and imitate their action.
“You start to have the right questions to ask to continue to protect yourself, and then you get to also contribute to the conversation.” said David.