The Role of AI in Business
AI is already embedded in many businesses, from chatbots and e-commerce recommendations, to blog writing and fulfilment. Many more applications are in development and the possibilities seem endless. Through robotics, machine learning, data analysis and natural language processing, AI offers the opportunity to drive productivity, efficiency, innovation and economic growth.
The Risk of AI in Business
AI could provide the solution to many of the world’s problems. However, it could equally be the cause of many more. There are serious concerns about the potential of AI being corrupted, of bias and misinformation being used for harm, rather than good. There’s the risk of cyber security, intellectual property and data privacy being compromised. In addition, there is the real possibility that humans could lose control of AI.
So how does the world manage these risks?
AI Safety Summit
At the start of November, international Governments, leading AI companies, research experts and civil society groups from 28 countries met at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire. This was the starting point of sustained cooperation to ensure the secure development of AI systems.
The aim was to achieve a common understanding of the cyber risks associated with AI, along with strategies to mitigate these risks. From this point, work could begin on agreeing on ways to safely realise the opportunities of AI technologies.
To put the UK at the forefront of AI Safety, the launch of the AI Safety Institute was announced at the summit. Informed by a specialist global task force, this hub will lead research, advice and testing on emerging AI technologies. The hub has been granted access to ‘supercomputers’ Isambard AI in Bristol and Dawn in Cambridge to support research.
Future summits are planned in the Republic of Korea and then France, to keep AI development high on the agenda. As IT Solution specialists, Flex IT is curious to see how this develops and the implications for wider cyber security measures.
Global Guidelines on AI Security
Following the AI Safety Summit, GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre and the US Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency have driven actions on global guidelines. Working in partnership with businesses, these aim to put security and the heart of AI innovation.
The guidelines are divided into four sections:
- Secure Design
- Secure Development
- Secure Deployment
- Secure Operations & Maintenance
By following the guidelines, developers and adopters can ensure that cyber security is a precondition of AI system safety, not an afterthought. Collaboration also aids system compatibility.
At the end of November, the guidelines were collectively endorsed and co-sealed by 18 countries. This includes all G7 nations. However, it is notable that China, Russia and North Korea are not represented. For now, let’s bring attention a little closer to home.
AI in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire has been a pioneer in the early development of AI. With facilities including the Oxford Robotics Institute, Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) and Harwell Campus, this county is a major contributor to innovation.
Oxfordshire’s reputation for technological research and development has attracted many startups and established companies. As such, the new guidelines will be essential reading material for businesses on our doorstep.
Is your company one of them? If so, it’s time to get familiar with the Guidelines on Secure AI System Development. The guidelines apply if you are developing from scratch or building on existing tools or services.
Using Chatbots & More
If your Oxfordshire business has questions about cyber security and AI integration, contact us. We’d love to help. If we don’t have the answer, we’ll know someone who does!
Read More about AI in Oxfordshire: https://www.oxfordshirelep.com/robotics-and-ai