AIming (noun)
/ˈeɪ.mɪŋ/
A form of real-time social engineering in which an adversary uses artificial intelligence technologies—such as deepfake video, voice cloning, or facial overlays—to convincingly impersonate a known individual in live interactions.
The goal of AIming is to manipulate the victim’s trust by exploiting their familiarity with the impersonated person (e.g., a family member, colleague, or authority figure), typically to extract money, sensitive information, or access credentials.
AIming differs from traditional social engineering by leveraging AI to simulate presence, emotion, and behavioural nuance in real time, significantly increasing the perceived authenticity of the impersonation.
/ˈeɪ.mɪŋ/
A form of real-time social engineering in which an adversary uses artificial intelligence technologies—such as deepfake video, voice cloning, or facial overlays—to convincingly impersonate a known individual in live interactions.
The goal of AIming is to manipulate the victim’s trust by exploiting their familiarity with the impersonated person (e.g., a family member, colleague, or authority figure), typically to extract money, sensitive information, or access credentials.
AIming differs from traditional social engineering by leveraging AI to simulate presence, emotion, and behavioural nuance in real time, significantly increasing the perceived authenticity of the impersonation.
A scammer obtains the phone number and social media details of a parent. Using AI voice cloning, they generate a near-perfect imitation of their child. They then call the parent via WhatsApp, appearing with a blurred video overlay resembling the child’s face, and speak in her voice, urgently requesting money to cover a medical emergency.
Because the mother recognizes the face and voice and the interaction feels live and emotional, they comply and transfer £1,200 to the attacker’s account — only to discover later that their real child was never in trouble.
The person in that case was a victim of AIming.
Because the mother recognizes the face and voice and the interaction feels live and emotional, they comply and transfer £1,200 to the attacker’s account — only to discover later that their real child was never in trouble.
The person in that case was a victim of AIming.
by DreamNxtGen July 21, 2025
Get the AImingmug.