EP17: The Dark Side of GenAI: Unpacking the Misuse of GenAI

Generative AI has captured the world's attention for its power to create, accelerate, and enhance—but what happens when these same tools are misused? In this episode of the Professor Insight Podcast, we turn the spotlight to the darker side of GenAI. Drawing on a groundbreaking new paper from DeepMind titled Generative AI Misuse: A Taxonomy of Tactics and Insights from Real-World Data, we explore nearly 200 real-life cases where generative tools were used to deceive, defraud, and manipulate.

From deepfake impersonations and non-consensual imagery to AI-powered phishing scams and fake social media botnets, the study reveals how GenAI is being exploited in ways that are surprisingly low-tech but highly effective. These misuse tactics often require little technical skill and rely on easy-to-access tools, making them more widespread and harder to track. We break down the taxonomy of tactics and the motivations behind them, including disinformation, monetisation, harassment, and even digital resurrection. This episode is a deep dive into how misuse is already reshaping online trust and public perception. We also discuss the broader implications for AI governance, content authenticity, and digital safety.