Making Sense | When AI feels real, what keeps you safe?

Artificial intelligence is changing the internet fast, and not always in ways people can easily see. In this episode of Making Sense, Gareth Edwards sits down with online safety expert Rianette Leibowitz to unpack how AI is reshaping fake news, online scams and digital trust.

They explore why AI generated images and voices are becoming harder to identify, how scammers use familiarity to trick people into handing over money or information, and why South Africans remain vulnerable in a world of fast moving cyber threats. The conversation also takes a deeper turn into the rise of AI companions, especially for young people, and the emotional and psychological risks that can come with relationships that feel real but are not.

The episode also offers practical takeaways for parents and everyday users, including why it matters to verify sources, question what you are being asked to share, and use child friendly settings on devices and platforms.

This is a smart, accessible conversation about how to stay alert in a digital world where seeing, hearing and even feeling something is no longer enough to prove it is real. #eNCA