Latest news with #Moczadlo
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
When You Apply for a Job Now, You're Competing With Non-Human Entities
As if the job market weren't already bad enough, applicants are now forced to compete with AI-generated employment seekers. As CBS News reports, scam artists are using AI to cook up headshots and write fake résumés and sites to fit the specifics of a given job opening. Sometimes, those AI scammers end up getting hired — and once they're there, they can steal trade secrets and sabotage a company's systems with malware. A few months ago, Dawid Moczadlo, the co-founder of the cybersecurity firm Vidoc, posted a now-viral video on LinkedIn showing him interviewing a candidate who he realized was using some sort of AI filter to obscure their face. Moczaldo asked the seemingly scamming candidate to put their hand in front of their face to see if it would "break" the deepfake filter. When the person refused, he ended the call immediately. In an interview with CBS, the Vidoc cofounder said he felt a "little bit violated, because we are the security experts" — though ultimately, he was glad the scammer didn't get further. According to researchers Moczadlo spoke to after the incident, the phony applicant appeared to act in a similar way to North Korean hacker networks that create fake identities to work remote jobs in the United States. Though the incident is still being investigated, the Vidoc cofounder believes it could have been worse. "We are really lucky that we are security experts," Moczaldo said. "But for companies that have regular people like hiring managers or regular startup founders, it's really hard for them to spot something like this." "Sometimes," he continued, "it takes a hacker to find a hacker." Unfortunately, that was not the first time Vidoc had encountered an AI applicant. After it happened again, as seen in Moczadlo's LinkedIn video, the company decided to change its hiring practices and now flies top candidates out to San Francisco for in-person interviews at Vidoc's offices, complete with travel expenses covered and pay for the trial day of work. While it's great to know that employers are trying to filter out these AI scammers, it's still pretty bad news for real people on the other end of hiring processes. Between companies laying off staff in hamfisted attempts to streamline their work with AI and generative phonies gumming up the application process, it appears that the rise of generative AI now has job applicants stuck between a rock and a hard place. More on AI and work: Investor Creates AI Employee, Immediately Sexually Harasses It
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Dangers Of AI-Generated Job Candidates
This is a published version of Forbes' Careers Newsletter. Click here to subscribe and get it in your inbox every Tuesday. AI is making it easier, and faster, to create fake job candidates. Job seekers often complain about ghost jobs and fake job postings. But as much as those looking for their next gig have grown frustrated with employers over this trend, some organizations are now raising red flags too. Companies must now be prepared for the possibility of fake job candidates. In a viral LinkedIn post, Dawid Moczadlo wrote about how he realized he was actually speaking to an AI-generated applicant. It wasn't just the cut-and-dry responses that reeked of ChatGPT, he wrote, but he noticed that the actual image of the interviewee's Zoom call looked off. Moczadlo ended the call when he realized what was happening, but it wasn't the first time he or other tech companies have noticed AI candidates. It's an increasingly common problem for tech companies—from Fortune 500 firms to mom-and-pop shops. As Forbes' David Jeans reported in August, a number of the fake profiles are coming from remote North Korean IT workers, some of whom have even landed jobs earning as much as $300,000 a year. And it's all becoming easier to do. A new study by cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks found that in just 70 minutes someone with minimal AI experience could create a fake job candidate that is able to pass as a real person. The dangers are huge: At the very least, fake job postings add competition to an already crowded job market for tech workers, which leads talent and acquisition teams, if not company leaders, to waste time interviewing AI candidates. At its worst, fake candidates—especially those originating from North Korean IT workers— can pose real cybersecurity threats. Happy reading, and hope you have a lovely week! Practical insights and advice from Forbes staff and contributors to help you succeed in your job, accelerate your career and lead smarter. Why communication is the No. 1 skill employers are hiring for, even more so than AI. Leveraging microhabits could be the key to building curiosity at work. Resonance over hierarchy: What corporate leaders can learn from congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Looking to earn an additional $100,000? Here are the four side-hustles that can lead to a big payday. Colonial Minutemen gather in the early morning hours as they face off against the British Red Coats on Lexington common at the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald via Getty Images) Celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War began in Boston this past weekend. But beyond the professional reenactors, many of the people marching in bands and playing the infamous Paul Revere are regular folks, ranging from doctors and teachers to bankers and engineers. I spoke to a few of them about how they balance their reenactment duties with full-time corporate life below. For most Americans heading into work today, it's just a regular Tuesday. But for Bostonians coming back after a long weekend––Monday was a state-recognized holiday in Massachusetts––some might recognize their coworker from an entirely different context.. Take Henry Liu, for example, who spends his 9-to-5 reviewing risk as compliance director of Middlesex Community Bank. But last weekend, he took over as narrator of the reenactment of the Battle of Lexington and Concord, famously known for the 'shot heard round the world' that started the Revolutionary War in 1775. Donning a green colonial jacket and a three-pointed hat, his uniform looked markedly different from the dress shirt he usually wears to work. 'It's fun when people discover it,' he says, though he prefers to keep a low profile at work over his reenactment duties. 'It's a largely invisible hobby.' The longtime Lexington, Massachusetts resident has been part of the Lexington Minute Men reenactment group for decades, from his college years throughout his professional career. His rise in the organization, from music master to captain, happened alongside his professional growth, from FDIC examiner to bank senior vice president. And while Liu may have been more involved than other reenactors while serving as Chair of this year's reenactment, he's not the only one balancing a full-time job on top of it. Alexander Cain advises high school students on manufacturing career paths during the day, but last weekend he played a colonial Minute Man in the Lexington reenactment. The history buff from North Andover, Massachusetts first got involved in reenactments after watching the movie April Morning about 30 years ago, all while balancing college, then a career as a county prosecutor, before going into academia and career advising. A full-time corporate job comes in handy with the costs of participating in reenactments, even if it's just a hobby. Between period-accurate clothing and refurbished muskets, reenactors can spend up to $5,000 to get ready to participate in events. 'I'm thankful working in biotech allows me to work on this hobby pretty intensely,' says Paul O'Shaughnessy, director of sustaining engineering at a Massachusetts firm. While he's always had a passion for history, he ended up pursuing a career in engineering, a field that's proved handy as he cleans and restores historical muskets. Unlike the others, O'Shaughnessy was a Red Coat this weekend, joining the reenactment as a member of the British soldiers during the battle. That's not including the time many put into the hobby. Whether it be teaching themselves how to sew in 18th-century accurate patterns to cut down on clothing costs, or by researching their specific 'character,' the most involved reenactors can easily spend 10 hours a week on it. Still, balancing time can be tough. Liu, for one, often ends up using PTO for reenactment-related activities, joking that with the 250th anniversary he'd already used up his allotted time off by February. 'It's worth it,' he says, 'but I can't sacrifice my career for my hobby.' News from the world of work. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is blaming allegations he shared sensitive military information in a second Signal chat on 'disgruntled former employees.' Three top staffers were terminated last week following an investigation into the first Signal chat, though the three have said they do not know why they were let go. Hegseth has notably not denied the allegations. Volvo is the latest company to cut jobs because of the impact of President Donald Trump's tariff policies on market movements. The carmaker joins Stellantis and cosmetics firm Estée Lauder in cutting their workforces due to the president's policies. Getting an M.B.A. might be worth it if you're trying to climb the traditional corporate ladder, but for potential small business owners, chances are the degree isn't worth it, Brandon Kochkodin reports. For those trying to build their own HVAC empires or buy a chain of car washes, an expensive M.B.A. could cost you even more as sellers might bump up their asking price once they realize you have a degree. Elon Musk is not the only one to have benefited from his rise to becoming the richest man in the world. From early employees, investors and cofounders, John Hyatt reports on the rank-and-file disciples that have gotten rich alongside Musk. Hong Kong workplace safety firm Viact has raised $73 million in a new funding round, using the additional capital to improve its video analytics software. The startup uses video feeds from security cameras to detect potential workplace hazards, from gas leaks to bad worker posture. Why 'Diary Of A CEO' Host Recruits 7-Days-A-Week CEOs at two major tech companies are asking their employees to do what before they consider hiring another team member? A. Prove AI can't do the job B. Show another team member is underperforming C. Outline where the budget for a new salary will come from D. All of the above Check if you got it right here.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fake job seekers are flooding the market, thanks to AI
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to alter their appearance and build fake profiles to apply for remote job postings, research shows. Already, scammers can use AI at almost every step in the job application process to hide their true identities. They can generate fake resumes, professional headshots, websites and Linkedin profiles. Compiled together, AI can help create what looks like the perfect candidate for an open role. Once they're in, these fraudsters can steal company secrets or install malware. While identity theft is not new, AI is helping scammers scale their operations, and the problem is growing. According to research and advisory firm Gartner, an estimated one in four job applicants will be fake by 2028. How to spot a fake A recording of an interview with what appeared to be an AI-generated job seeker went viral on LinkedIn, posted by Dawid Moczadlo, co-founder of cybersecurity firm Vidoc Security. He told CBS News he was shocked when he realized what was happening. "I felt a little bit violated, because we are the security experts," Moczadlo said. Moczadlo said when he suspected the person was using an AI filter, he asked a simple question: "Can you take your hand and put it in front of your face?" When they refused, Moczadlo immediately ended the interview. He explained that the software the scammer was using didn't seem sophisticated, so blocking the person's face with their hand would likely "break" the deepfake face filter. "Sometimes it takes a hacker to find a hacker," Moczadlo said. This was the second time the company had interviewed someone who turned out to be AI-generated. Moczadlo said it completely changed the company's hiring process. Now, potential employees are flown in for a one-day, in-person interview. The company covers travel and pays for a full day of work. It believes the extra cost is worth the peace of mind. A pattern of deception These incidents aren't isolated. The Justice Department has uncovered multiple networks in which North Koreans used fake identities to land remote jobs in the U.S. They often use AI to build fake identities and work U.S.-based IT jobs to funnel U.S. dollars to their home country. The Justice Department estimates these schemes generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually, with much of those funds going directly to the North Korean Ministry of Defense and the country's nuclear missile program. Moczadlo said researchers told him Vidoc's fake job seekers followed a similar pattern to several of these North Korean networks, though Vidoc's incident is still under investigation. "We are really lucky that we are security experts." Moczadlo added, "but for companies that have regular people like hiring managers or regular startup founders, it's really hard for them to spot something like this." The reaction inspired Vidoc's co-founders to build a guide to help HR professionals across industries spot potentially fraudulent applicants. If you're wondering if this has ever happened to you, the CBS News Confirmed team has compiled some general best-practices to check that the person you're speaking to is real: 1. Look closer at their LinkedIn profile: While the profile might look legitimate at first glance, check the creation date by clicking on the "More" button and then selecting "About this profile." You can also check that the person has connections at the places they say they've worked. 2. Ask cultural questions: If someone says they grew up in a specific country or city, ask about things only a local might know, like their favorite cafes and restaurants. 3. In-person is best: At the end of the day, especially as AI technology advances, the only way to really know that a person is who they say they are, is to meet them face-to-face. White House responds to judge who found cause to hold Trump administration in contempt What to know about the 2025 NBA playoff first-round games Facebook Marketplace drives shift towards e-commerce
CBS News
18-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Fake job seekers are flooding the market, thanks to AI
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to alter their appearance and build fake profiles to apply for remote job postings, research shows. Already, scammers can use AI at almost every step in the job application process to hide their true identities. They can generate fake resumes, professional headshots, websites and Linkedin profiles. Compiled together, AI can help create what looks like the perfect candidate for an open role. Once they're in, these fraudsters can steal company secrets or install malware. While identity theft is not new, AI is helping scammers scale their operations, and the problem is growing. According to research and advisory firm Gartner, an estimated one in four job applicants will be fake by 2028. A recording of an interview with what appeared to be an AI-generated job seeker went viral on LinkedIn , posted by Dawid Moczadlo, co-founder of cybersecurity firm Vidoc Security. He told CBS News he was shocked when he realized what was happening. "I felt a little bit violated, because we are the security experts," Moczadlo said. Moczadlo said when he suspected the person was using an AI filter, he asked a simple question: "Can you take your hand and put it in front of your face?" When they refused, Moczadlo immediately ended the interview. He explained that the software the scammer was using didn't seem sophisticated, so blocking the person's face with their hand would likely "break" the deepfake face filter. "Sometimes it takes a hacker to find a hacker," Moczadlo said. This was the second time the company had interviewed someone who turned out to be AI-generated. Moczadlo said it completely changed the company's hiring process. Now, potential employees are flown in for a one-day, in-person interview. The company covers travel and pays for a full day of work. It believes the extra cost is worth the peace of mind. These incidents aren't isolated. The Justice Department has uncovered multiple networks in which North Koreans used fake identities to land remote jobs in the U.S. They often use AI to build fake identities and work U.S.-based IT jobs to funnel U.S. dollars to their home country. The Justice Department estimates these schemes generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually, with much of those funds going directly to the North Korean Ministry of Defense and the country's nuclear missile program. Moczadlo said researchers told him Vidoc's fake job seekers followed a similar pattern to several of these North Korean networks, though Vidoc's incident is still under investigation. "We are really lucky that we are security experts." Moczadlo added, "but for companies that have regular people like hiring managers or regular startup founders, it's really hard for them to spot something like this." The reaction inspired Vidoc's co-founders to build a guide to help HR professionals across industries spot potentially fraudulent applicants. If you're wondering if this has ever happened to you, the CBS News Confirmed team has compiled some general best-practices to check that the person you're speaking to is real: 1. Look closer at their LinkedIn profile: While the profile might look legitimate at first glance, check the creation date by clicking on the "More" button and then selecting "About this profile." You can also check that the person has connections at the places they say they've worked. 2. Ask cultural questions: If someone says they grew up in a specific country or city, ask about things only a local might know, like their favorite cafes and restaurants. 3. In-person is best: At the end of the day, especially as AI technology advances, the only way to really know that a person is who they say they are, is to meet them face-to-face.
