Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) has partnered with Apate.ai, a cyber-intelligence firm spun out from Macquarie University, to bolster protections against scams using advanced AI technology.
The collaboration leverages near real-time scam intelligence to shield both CommBank customers and the wider Australian public from fraudulent activities.
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CommBank has integrated a network of thousands of AI-powered bot profiles developed by Apate.ai.
These bots are designed to interact with scammers through text messages and voice calls, collecting vital intelligence to disrupt fraudulent operations.
“Every day, Apate.ai deploys thousands of conversational AI bots to disrupt scammers targeting unsuspecting Australians, via text-based conversations and voice calls,” the initiative detailed.
The system builds on a successful pilot programme launched by Macquarie University in late 2024.
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By GlobalDataCommBank Group fraud general manager James Roberts said: “Scammers are increasingly using AI to target Australians – we’re turning the tables by using AI to fight back.
“Every minute a scammer is engaging with a bot, is a minute they’re not targeting an Australian.”
The bots engage scammers in prolonged interactions, gathering data that feeds directly into CommBank’s scam prevention systems and supports the broader anti-scam ecosystem across industries.
The intelligence gathered by Apate.ai enables CommBank to spot emerging scam patterns, refine its detection mechanisms, and contribute to industry-wide efforts to combat fraud.
Furthermore, this approach strengthens the bank’s ability to respond to evolving scam tactics driven by AI advancements.
The initiative is part of a collaborative effort involving telecommunication providers, technology firms, and government bodies to share intelligence and make Australia a tougher target for scammers.
Apate.ai CEO and founder Professor Dali Kaafar said: “We’re on a mission to dismantle the business models of scammers around the world.
“Our bots share near real-time intelligence to our partners like CommBank to fight scams, helping to shield consumers and businesses and making it harder for scammers to operate.”
Recently, CommBank migrated its data platform to Amazon Web Services (AWS) to improve integration with bank channels and provide personalised experiences for customers and employees using data, AI, and analytics.
