North Korean agents using AI to trick western firms into hiring them, Microsoft says

Companies have been urged to carry out IT job interviews via video calls – and to spot ‘tells’ in faked video – or in person to head off the threat. Photograph: insta_photos/Alamy

Fake IT workers deployed by North Korea are using AI technology, including voice-changing tools, to trick western companies into hiring them, Microsoft has said.

The US tech firm said a signature Pyongyang money-raising ruse is being enhanced by AI, which is helping create fake names and alter stolen IDs to increase the credibility of false applicants for IT and software development jobs.