Ever since AI’s meteoric rise to prominence following the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, the technology has been at the center of international debate. For every application in healthcare, education, and workplace efficiency, reports of abuse by cybercriminals for phishing campaigns, automating attacks, and ransomware have made mainstream news. Businesses must grapple with the fact that AI is not a transient trend; it is here to stay. Consequently, they need to navigate this new landscape thoughtfully, balancing the advantages of AI against the potential cyber risks.
Regardless of whether individuals and businesses like it, AI isn’t going anywhere. That’s why it’s time to start getting real about the use cases for the technology, even if it might lead to potential cyber risks. Companies that refuse to adapt are risking being left behind in the same manner that stubborn businesses were when they refused to adjust during the early days of the Dot-com boom.
When it comes to early adoption, everyone wants to be Apple; nobody wants to be Pan-Am. So, how do businesses adapt to the new world of AI and tackle the associated risks?
1. Grasp the Legal Limitations of AI and Determine if it Suits Your Business
Despite the risks, the mass commercialization of AI is a positive development as it means legal conditions are in place to help govern its use. AI has been around for a lot longer than ChatGPT; it’s just that we’re only now starting to set guidelines on how to implement and use it. Being aware of these guidelines is essential for any company considering integrating AI into their operations.
Regulations are constantly changing given the rapid evolution of AI, so it’s essential that businesses are aware of the rules which apply to their sector. Consultation with legal professionals is as crucial as any step of the process; you don’t want to commit a large amount of capital towards a project that falls foul of the law.
Once you’ve got the all-clear to proceed – hopefully with some additional understanding of the legal parameters – it’s down to you to identify if and where AI can add value to your business and how it could affect your approach to cybersecurity. Are there thousands of hours being spent on mundane tasks? Could a chatbot speed up the customer service process? How will you keep sensitive data safe after the introduction of AI software?
What’s important is that businesses have taken the time to identify where AI could add value and not just include it in digital transformation plans because they think it’s the right thing to do. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail – and avoid embarking on vanity projects that could do more harm than good.
2. Choose Your AI Integration Partner
This doesn’t mean you start using ChatGPT to run your business!
Assuming you don’t already have the talent in-house, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of AI transformation businesses for you to partner with on your journey. Each of these firms offers varied expertise and tools for different needs, so choosing the right partner is a critical step.
I won’t labor over this step as every business will have its procurement processes. Still, my best advice is to look at the case studies of an AI transformation company’s existing work and even reach out to their existing clients to find out if their new AI tools have been helpful. Crucially, make a note of any security issues encountered in AI projects and bear this knowledge in mind. Like anything, a third-party endorsement for impactful work goes a long way.
That said, with the rapid growth in AI, sometimes “case studies” are not freely available, and businesses should consider not discounting skilled firms. Instead, if a company has the credentials, insight, and technology, allow them the ability to demonstrate capabilities and how these support your journey.
Once you’ve identified potential partners, ensure they understand your specific needs and concerns, especially around data security. An AI integration partner who emphasizes transparency and has robust security protocols in place will be better positioned to navigate the complexities of AI adoption while minimizing risks.
3. Promote Cyber-Hygiene and Cyber-Awareness Throughout the Organization
Unfortunately, most cyber-attacks are caused or enabled by insiders, usually employees. In the vast majority of cases, it’s not malicious; it’s just a member of your team who doesn’t understand the implications of cyber risks and doesn’t take all the necessary precautions.
Therefore, your best opportunity to nullify those risks is by thoroughly and consistently educating your employees. This should apply just as much to new AI tools as to anything else at the business.
It seems obvious to most by now, but ChatGPT is free because we are the product. Every time you input data into the model, it learns from your input, and there’s a distinct possibility that your data will be regurgitated at some stage to someone else. That’s why staff must be careful about entering sensitive information, even if an AI tool claims to keep data secure.
Not inputting sensitive company data into (Large Language Models) LLMs might be an easy and obvious starting point, but there’s plenty more that companies should be educating their employees about cyber-hygiene and not just its relevance to AI. Key topics can include best practices in handling sensitive company data, the right way to communicate and flag potential breaches, implementing an incident/rapid response plan, regularly backing up data and ensuring it is secure, and the secure by design principle – “Doing the thinking upfront.”
Promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness can be even more important than the tools themselves. Whether it’s through regular training sessions, newsletters, or real-life simulations, employees should always be aware of the evolving nature of cyber threats. Companies need to cultivate an environment where employees feel responsible for cybersecurity, ensuring that they are part of the solution.
4. Deploy and Continually Reassess
Since the rapid rise of AI, highlighted by ChatGPT’s release in November 2022, the technology has ignited global debate. While AI has found beneficial applications in healthcare, education, and workplace efficiency, its use by cybercriminals for phishing, attacks, and ransomware has also made headlines. Businesses must accept that AI is not a passing trend; it’s a permanent fixture. As such, they need to navigate this evolving landscape wisely, weighing the benefits of AI against cyber risks.
Whether people and businesses embrace it or not, AI is here to stay. It’s crucial to get realistic about AI’s applications, despite potential cyber hazards. Companies that resist adapting are at risk of falling behind, similar to how some were left behind during the Dot-com boom.
In the realm of early adoption, everyone wants to be Apple, not Pan-Am. So, how can businesses adapt to this new AI era and manage the associated risks? The key lies in a balanced approach, integrating AI’s advantages while implementing robust cybersecurity measures to mitigate risks.
