As innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) continues apace, security experts have warned that 2024 will be a crucial time for organizations and governing bodies to establish security standards, protocols, and other guardrails to prevent AI from outpacing them.
Large language models (LLMs), fueled by sophisticated algorithms and massive data sets, display impressive language understanding and human-like conversational capabilities. One of the most sophisticated platforms to date is OpenAI’s GPT-4, which powers the company’s ChatGPT bot and has advanced reasoning and problem-solving capabilities. OpenAI is even working on the GPT-5 that CEO Sam Altman said will possess “superintelligence.”
These models offer significant potential for productivity and efficiency gains but carry inherent security risks, according to experts. Recent research found that ChatGPT has already had 14 billion visits and counting, highlighting the importance of addressing security risks.
As organizations make progress in AI, it is essential to consider rigorous ethical considerations and risk assessments, says Gal Ringel, CEO of AI-based privacy and security firm MineOS.
While concerns about AI posing an existential threat have been raised, most security experts are not concerned about a doomsday scenario. Instead, their worries are centered around AI advancing and adopting too quickly without proper risk management.
Risks associated with generative AI include data leaks, misuse for malicious activity, and inaccurate outputs that can mislead or confuse users, resulting in negative business consequences. LLMs require vast amounts of data, making them susceptible to sensitive information being inadvertently revealed or misused.
Threat actors have utilized the technology to create sophisticated phishing attacks and malware, indicating that misuse practically. AI hallucinations, false or biased responses by the AI, are also a significant threat, leading to faulty decision-making and misleading communications.
To manage these risks, experts suggest adopting security solutions and strategies to thwart AI-related threats and embracing a measured approach to adopting AI. Organizations are advised to set up security policies and procedures around AI before its deployment and to set up dedicated AI risk officers or task forces to oversee compliance.
On a broader scale, the industry as a whole must take steps to set up security standards and practices around AI, requiring collective action by both the public and private sector. This endeavor may become a crucial area of focus in the rapidly emerging generative AI era.