Savi Security: The Coughlin Brothers' AI Anti-Scam Weapon

An Initiative Born from a Traumatic Personal Experience

Patrick and Ryan Coughlin, two brothers with impressive backgrounds in the tech sector, have decided to join forces to create a security startup. Patrick has notable experience in national cybersecurity and has worked for companies like Splunk and Cisco. Ryan, on the other hand, has gained expertise in consumer product development at Apple and Spotify. Together, they founded Savi Security, a company dedicated to protecting consumers from increasingly sophisticated scams generated by AI.

Savi Security: A Response to Digital Threats

Savi Security focuses on protecting individuals from digital scams that spread via SMS, emails, and phone calls. These scams, made possible by advancements in artificial intelligence, have become more realistic and therefore more dangerous. To support their project, the Coughlin brothers successfully raised $7 million in an initial funding round. This funding was led by Acrew Capital, with participation from Magnify Ventures, TTCER, and Resolute Ventures. The Savi app will be available on iPhone and Android, marking a significant step in the fight against these digital threats.

A Personal Incident at the Origin of the Idea

The idea to create Savi Security was born from a traumatic event experienced by the founders' mother. About two years ago, she received a terrifying call from a man claiming to have kidnapped her daughter. The call appeared to come from her daughter's phone number, and the voice she heard sounded like her daughter, pleading to follow the scammer's instructions. The man demanded a ransom of $1,200, threatening to kill her daughter in a Walmart parking lot if the money was not paid immediately. Fortunately, the mother kept her composure and was able to verify that her daughter was safe. This incident, although frightening, was merely a scam orchestrated by AI.

The Rise of AI Scams

Patrick Coughlin, still reeling from this event, questioned the changes in the criminal landscape that now allow such scams to reach the general public. Large language models (LLMs) and other generative AI tools have made these attacks more accessible and less expensive to execute. Previously, such scams required considerable resources and primarily targeted entities with significant financial means, such as businesses or governments. Today, these techniques are within reach of criminals who prey on ordinary consumers.

The Impact of AI Technologies on Scams

Before the rise of AI, scams targeting consumers were not cost-effective. They required extensive research and advanced technologies to impersonate voices, limiting their use to more lucrative targets. However, with AI, costs have dropped, and the necessary tools are easily accessible. It is now possible to clone a voice from just a few seconds of audio, often available on social media. This ease of access to personal information has transformed the scam landscape.

Financial Losses Due to Scams

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), financial losses related to impersonation scams reached $3.5 billion in 2025, three times more than in 2020. While older adults are often the most affected, Generation Z is not spared. A study by Malwarebytes in 2025 revealed that this generation is particularly vulnerable to SMS scams, with a scam success rate of 25%.

A Real-Time Intervention Tool

To counter these threats, the Coughlin brothers developed a real-time intervention tool. They initially tested their concept with a free website, Scam Wise, which allows users to submit suspicious texts, photos, or emails for evaluation. In four months, Scam Wise received 50,000 submissions, with a weekly increase of 10,000 submissions. This data helped train Savi's AI scam detection model.

The Savi App: Proactive Protection

Savi recently launched a paid app for iOS and Android, designed to filter SMS, voicemails, and incoming calls to detect scams. While similar features already exist, Savi stands out for its ability to monitor live calls. During a suspicious conversation, the user can add a live agent from the app to analyze behavioral cues and determine if the call is a scam.

A Family Pricing Model

Savi's pricing model is also unique. For $8 per month or $63 per year, the app covers an entire family, with no limit on the number of users. This allows for the protection of not only children and spouses but also parents and other family members who may be vulnerable to scams.

The Impact of AI on Fraud

AI has lowered the barriers to entry for fraudsters, enabling ordinary individuals to engage in criminal activities. In response, Savi Security offers a solution that uses real-time AI to protect consumers, marking a new era in the fight against digital fraud.