Durham Hosted First Digital Empowerment Day
The event offered residents workshops on AI safety following a year of rising digital crime in North Carolina.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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Digital Durham partnered with the City of Durham to host its inaugural Digital Empowerment Day. The gathering provided workshops for various ages aimed at building confidence in AI use while highlighting the risks posed by evolving technology.
Why it matters
The initiative seeks to educate the public on the dangers of artificial intelligence as regional losses from AI-linked internet crimes reached $15.6 million in 2025. This focus on digital literacy helps residents identify how AI functions and mimics human actions.
North Carolina reported $15.6 million in financial losses linked to AI-related internet crimes in 2025. Cybersecurity speaker Kae David, who brings more than a decade of experience to the field, led discussions on the mechanics of AI technology.
The players
Digital Durham
This local organization partnered with the city to provide community-focused technology education and resources.
City of Durham
The local municipal government co-hosted the event to help address cybersecurity concerns within the community.
Kae David
A cybersecurity expert who shared insights on AI functionality and threats based on more than a decade of industry experience.
The details
The event featured expert speakers and interactive workshops designed to teach residents of all skill levels how to protect themselves against AI-based threats. These sessions emphasized how AI technology functions and the methods it uses to imitate human actions.
Timeline
The event was hosted in September 2026.
North Carolina recorded $15.6 million in losses during 2025.
The Tech Race
The Digital Empowerment Day event represents a community-level response to the broader surge in AI-enabled cyber threats highlighted by the 2025 North Carolina report on AI-related internet crime losses. This move positions the city to mitigate risks associated with the rapid development of generative AI technologies.
Residents can utilize the strategies learned in these workshops to better secure their personal data against sophisticated AI-driven phishing attempts. These practices help users identify potential threats before they result in financial loss or identity theft.
The takeaway
Digital literacy is an essential defense against the increasing prevalence of AI-driven internet crimes. Adopting proactive security habits and maintaining awareness of how AI mimics human behavior are key steps to protecting personal finances.
Further reading
For additional context on digital protection, visit the Cybersecurity section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WRAL.
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