Online scams and misinformation may become harder to spot as a result of artificial intelligence (AI), Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has said, adding that he fears ‘bad actors’ will misuse technology.

Speaking to the BBC, Wozniak said AI content should be clearly labelled, and regulation was necessary. He was a co-signatory in March, with Elon Musk, in a letter calling for a complete pause in AI development.

He said: "AI is so intelligent it's open to the bad players, the ones that want to trick you about who they are."

While he doesn't believe AI will replace people because it lacks emotion, Wozniak said that ChatGPT can create text which sounds intelligent.

"A human really has to take the responsibility for what is generated by AI," he added.

Big tech firms "feel they can kind of get away with anything"  and must be regulated, he continued.

"I think the forces that drive for money usually win out, which is sort of sad."

Spot fraud

The public should be educated to spot fraud and malicious attempts to take personal information, he added.

Apple boss Tim Cook also told investors last week that it was important to be "deliberate and thoughtful" in using AI.