Proof of Usefulness Report

Apate.AI

Analysis completed on 2/3/2026

+276
Proof of Usefulness Score
Gaining Momentum

Apate.AI is a high-potential spin-off from Macquarie University (Australia) focused on using conversational AI to scam-bait and gather intelligence on phone scammers. While the submission contained hyperbolic and inaccurate claims (e.g., 'most people have used my product'), independent verification confirms significant B2B traction: $2.5M AUD Seed funding (August 2025), partnerships with CommBank and TPG Telecom, and a pilot diverting 280,000 scam calls. The project demonstrates high real-world utility and technical innovation, though it is currently in the early commercialization/pilot phase rather than mass consumer adoption.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+106.25
Audience Reach Impact+10.00
Technical Innovation+60.00
Evidence Of Traction+40.00
Market Timing Relevance+45.00
Functional Completeness+1.25
Subtotal+262.5
Usefulness Multiplierx1.05
Final Score+276

Project Details

Project URL
Description
Defeating Phone Scams with Conversational AI Mission: Break the business model of scammers globally and beat them at their own game. Apate.AI transforms scam defense from reactive to proactive using cutting-edge AI. Why Apate.AI? Global Insight: Provides accurate, real-time intelligence on scam campaigns, reducing scam calls, increasing customer trust, and saving costs for telecommunication providers, enterprises, and governments. Proactive Defense: Engages scammers with realistic AI victims, extracting valuable intelligence and disrupting scam operations, significantly reducing their profits. Benefits: Telecommunication Providers: Save on scam detection, comply with regulations, and enhance customer satisfaction. Enterprises and Government: Gain timely insights for swift responses, protecting customers and mitigating losses. Consumers: Fewer scam calls, accurate scam avoidance information, and restored trust in phone networks. Key Features: AI Callee: Diverts scam calls to chatbots engaging scammers and wasting their time whilst collecting real-time intelligence to action. Multi-Lingual Support: Covers multiple languages and dialects for global use. Scalable and Cost-Effective: Handles millions of calls efficiently, with flexible deployment options. Realistic Engagement: Human-like interactions with emotions and backchanneling, making chatbots convincing. Be part of the revolution in phone scam defense. Visit us at apate.ai and see how we make the world safer, one call at a time.

Algorithm Insights

Market Position
Growing utility with room for optimization
User Engagement
Documented reach suggests active user community
Technical Stack
Modern tech stack aligned with sponsor technologies

Recommendations to Increase Usefulness Score

Document User Growth

Provide specific metrics on user acquisition and retention rates

Showcase Revenue Model

Detail sustainable monetization strategy and current revenue streams

Expand Evidence Base

Include testimonials, case studies, and third-party validation

Technical Roadmap

Share development milestones and feature completion timeline