Page 187 - Cyber Defense eMagazine July 2024

Companies touting "military-grade AI" with a straight face make it that much harder for genuine
innovations to gain traction and trust. Hype drowns out expert calls for better data privacy, transparency,
and fairness.

Most disturbingly, focusing on fictional AI diverts attention and resources from clear and present dangers.
Ultimately AI is still software, and thus susceptible to cyber security risks that many professionals will be
familiar with. Advanced generative AI models are already being incorporated into critical enterprise
systems and customer-facing products. If built and deployed without security in mind, these models can
be highly susceptible to cyber attacks. Indeed, it has been shown that bad actors can siphon sensitive
data, reconstruct proprietary models, introduce malicious backdoors - all without a single line of
hardcoded deception to tip off conventional cybersecurity.

The AI washing hype cycle doesn't just provide false comfort, it actively conceals genuine risk which
businesses are struggling to navigate and manage. Overclaiming not only misleads consumers but can
also lead businesses to make poorly informed decisions about AI adoption and investment. Companies
may end up wasting resources on ineffective or insecure AI solutions, putting their data, intellectual
property, and reputation at risk.

Earning trust in the age of democratized AI

To be clear, AI has the potential to be truly transformative for competitive businesses. But as complexity
grows, so does the attack surface and the imperative for purpose-built, battle-tested AI security.

It is becoming increasingly difficult for a business to understand or manage AI security. To effectively
navigate the AI landscape and make informed decisions, business leaders need to invest in AI literacy
and education. This includes understanding the capabilities and limitations of different AI technologies,
as well as best practices for secure and ethical AI deployment.

In the era of accessible deep learning, trust must be earned continuously with transparency, not bought
with marketing fluff. Only by cutting through the AI-washing noise can enterprises build lasting value and
safeguard the future.

Cyber Defense eMagazine – July 2024 Edition 187
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