Block launches Dessa, a voice AI, as critics warn of scam calls

Block, the company behind Square and Cash App, has unveiled a voice AI called Dessa. Critics are already raising a worry: talking AI tools like this could make phone scams easier to pull off. That is the core of the news so far, and the details are thin.

What we know

Block makes payment tools used by small businesses and everyday people. Square helps merchants take payments. Cash App lets people send and receive money from their phones. The company has now put out a voice AI named Dessa, which means software that can speak and, presumably, hold a conversation by voice.

The report we saw said critics are concerned. Their argument is simple. The more natural a computer voice sounds, the easier it may be for a scammer to pose as a bank, a relative or a company.

What is not known yet

The report did not explain how Dessa works. It did not say what the tool is meant to do, who can use it, or when. It also did not describe any safeguards Block has built in to prevent misuse. Until those details come out, it is hard to judge how real the risk is.

What to do

Whatever happens with Dessa, the safe habit is the same. A voice that sounds real is no longer proof that a caller is who they say they are.

• If a call asks for money or codes, hang up.
• Call back on a number you already trust, such as the one on your card or official app.
• Do not rely on how familiar or convincing a voice sounds.

What happens next

More detail from Block on what Dessa does and how it is protected would help answer the critics. Watch for that information.