Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the exploitation of elderly individuals in lower-tier cities by AI scammers, who take advantage of their limited understanding of technology and financial literacy, leading to significant financial losses for these vulnerable groups [6][20]. Group 1: AI Scams Targeting the Elderly - Scammers are targeting elderly individuals with various AI-related schemes, such as "AI financial literacy courses" and "AI digital grandchildren," which are prevalent on social media and short video platforms [6][21]. - Many elderly victims, like Song Yanyu, are lured into these scams by promises of easy income through AI-generated content, often leading to substantial financial losses [9][13]. - The scams are particularly effective in economically disadvantaged areas, where the elderly are more susceptible to misinformation and less likely to have access to protective resources [21][23]. Group 2: Psychological Manipulation - Scammers utilize emotional manipulation, creating a sense of companionship through AI-generated interactions, which makes elderly individuals more likely to trust and invest in these fraudulent schemes [26][28]. - The loneliness experienced by many elderly individuals exacerbates their vulnerability, as they seek connection and validation through digital means [27][28]. - The psychological impact of these scams extends beyond financial loss, affecting the victims' self-worth and mental health [28]. Group 3: The Role of Technology - The article discusses how the rapid advancement of AI technology has created a gap in understanding among older populations, making them prime targets for exploitation [20][23]. - Scammers employ sophisticated AI tools to create convincing content, including deepfake videos and AI-generated voices, which further complicates the ability of victims to discern fraud [27][28]. - Despite regulations aimed at identifying AI-generated content, many elderly individuals lack the knowledge to recognize these indicators, leaving them exposed to scams [27][28].

Core Viewpoint - A silent exploitation targeting elderly individuals in lower-tier cities is occurring, where they are lured into various AI-related scams due to their limited understanding of new technologies [4][5]. Group 1: AI Scams Targeting the Elderly - Elderly individuals with some savings but lacking technological knowledge have become ideal targets for AI scammers [5]. - Various scams, such as "AI financial literacy courses" and "AI digital grandchildren," are proliferating on platforms commonly used by the elderly, leading many to deplete their savings [5][26]. - Scammers exploit the technological gap, preying on vulnerable groups while the benefits of AI have not yet reached them [5][31]. Group 2: Case Studies of Victims - Song Yanyu, a 63-year-old retiree, was drawn into an "AI wealth creation" scheme, paying a total of 11,477 yuan, which amounted to three months of his pension, but received no returns [17][12]. - Li Lanjun, a 59-year-old, invested over 177,000 yuan into an "AI financial literacy course" based on the claims of a self-proclaimed expert, only to find that the promised returns never materialized [22][23]. - Chen Rong, a 55-year-old, lost over 40,000 yuan to an "AI customer acquisition course," realizing too late that the promised AI tools were merely basic editing software [28][29]. Group 3: Psychological and Social Impacts - The loneliness of elderly individuals makes them more susceptible to scams, as they seek companionship and validation through technology [41][44]. - Many elderly victims experience a loss of self-worth and confidence after being scammed, leading to increased isolation [41][42]. - The prevalence of AI scams highlights a significant gap in digital literacy and protection for the elderly, particularly in lower-tier cities [31][32]. Group 4: Market Dynamics and Trends - Scammers are increasingly targeting lower-tier cities, where economic conditions and lack of awareness create fertile ground for exploitation [27][30]. - The rise of AI-related scams is accompanied by a growing trend of using AI-generated content to deceive victims, complicating the identification of fraudulent activities [40]. - Despite regulations aimed at identifying AI-generated content, enforcement remains challenging, particularly for the elderly who may not know how to verify such information [40].