• UGI USER
  • May 10, 2024
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AN AI INFUSED WORLD NEEDS MATCHING CYBERSECURITY

SYLLABUS:

  • GS 2: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

Focus:

  • Paris 2024 is getting ready to face an unprecedented challenge in terms of cybersecurity via AI.
Source: The motely

Overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Definition:

AI refers to the capability of computers or computer-controlled robots to perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. These tasks involve qualities such as reasoning, learning from experience, and making discerning choices.

Characteristics & Components:

  • Rational Decision-Making: AI systems are designed to make rational decisions by selecting the most effective actions to achieve specific objectives.
  • Machine Learning (ML): A critical component of AI, ML allows systems to learn from data patterns and improve over time without being explicitly programmed.
  • Deep Learning (DL): This advanced subset of machine learning uses large amounts of unstructured data (text, images, videos) to learn and make informed decisions.

Advantages of AI:

  • Accuracy and Precision: AI algorithms excel in processing large datasets with high accuracy, which is invaluable in fields like medical diagnostics and financial forecasting.
  • Enhanced Decision-Making: By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI helps identify trends and patterns that assist in making informed decisions.
  • Innovation: AI drives technological and scientific advancements by discovering new insights and solutions across various domains.
  • Productivity: AI enhances human capabilities, improving efficiency and output in numerous industries.
  • Adaptability: AI systems continuously learn and adapt to new information and changing environments, maintaining relevance and effectiveness.
  • Space Exploration: AI significantly contributes to space research, enabling autonomous vehicles and sophisticated data analysis in extreme conditions.

Disadvantages of AI:

  • Job Displacement: Automation through AI can replace human roles, leading to unemployment and necessitating workforce retraining.
  • Ethical and Privacy Concerns: AI introduces challenges such as potential bias in decision-making, privacy issues, and moral dilemmas in autonomous operations.
  • Data Dependence: The effectiveness of AI is contingent on the availability and quality of data. Poor data can result in biased or incorrect outcomes.
  • Security Vulnerabilities: AI systems are susceptible to cyber threats, with potential misuse by hackers to exploit or disrupt operations.
  • Overreliance and Transparency Issues: Excessive dependence on AI without human oversight can lead to errors, especially in unfamiliar scenarios. Furthermore, some AI processes are not fully transparent, complicating the understanding of their decision-making pathways.
  • High Costs: Initial and ongoing expenses for setting up and maintaining AI systems can be substantial, including investments in technology and continual updates.

An AI-Infused World Needs Matching Cybersecurity

Escalating Cyber Threats

  • Increased Phishing and Credential Theft: There has been a significant rise in phishing incidents and credential phishing, with reported increases of 1,265% and 967% respectively since the fourth quarter of 2022.
  • Use of AI in Cyber Attacks: Sophisticated AI technologies are being employed by cybercriminals to create more convincing scams and manipulations.
  • Rise in Complex Cyber Threats: As AI technologies evolve, they open new avenues for cyber attacks, increasing the overall vulnerability of organizations and individuals.
  • Challenges in Cybersecurity Detection: The evolving nature of AI-powered attacks makes them harder to detect, with many organizations reporting undetectable phishing attacks and an overall increase in attack volumes.
  • Impact on Privacy and Security: The deployment of AI in areas like facial recognition and other biometric systems poses severe threats to privacy and personal security.

Strategic Responses Required

  • Enhanced Collaboration for Cybersecurity: There is a need for greater collaboration among countries and corporations to develop effective cybersecurity measures.
  • Development of Regulatory Frameworks: Implementing strict ethical and legislative measures to combat the misuse of AI in cybercrime is crucial.
  • Promotion of Digital Literacy: Institutions should focus on enhancing digital literacy to help employees and the general public recognize and combat AI-driven threats.
  • Consumer Protection Initiatives: The introduction of mechanisms like AI content watermarking can help consumers identify AI-generated content and avoid deception.
  • Global Agreements on AI Safety: The signing of agreements like the Bletchley Declaration by global leaders emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in tackling the misuse of AI technologies.

Fostering Digital Awareness

  • Corporate Training in Digital Literacy: Companies need to integrate digital literacy training into their routines to empower employees with the skills needed to navigate the digital landscape securely.
  • Public Education Campaigns: Public education initiatives can play a pivotal role in building a digitally savvy citizenry that is well-equipped to face the challenges of an AI-driven world.
  • Role of NGOs in Cyber Literacy: Non-governmental organizations are critical in introducing digital tools and cybersecurity awareness to the broader population.
  • Creating a Holistic Cybersecurity Approach: It is essential to adopt a multi-faceted approach that includes feedback from all stakeholders to create effective and practical cybersecurity strategies.
  • Empowering Communities Through Security: Continuous efforts to develop advanced security systems and technologies are necessary to maintain safety and security in the digital age.
Current Global AI Governance

India:

  • Leading Agency: NITI Aayog oversees AI governance, releasing key documents like the National Strategy for AI and the Responsible AI for All report.
  • Focus Areas: The guidelines emphasize innovation, social and economic inclusion, and the creation of trustworthy AI systems.

United Kingdom:

  • Regulatory Approach: The UK has adopted a light-touch regulatory stance, urging sector-specific regulators to integrate AI governance within existing frameworks.
  • Guiding Principles: A white paper has established five core principles for AI use: safety, security, and robustness; transparency and explainability; fairness; accountability and governance; contestability and redress.

United States:

  • Blueprint for AI Bill of Rights: The US has introduced a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights that addresses AI’s potential economic and civil rights harms.
  • Governance Approach: Unlike the EU’s broad strategy, the US prefers a sector-specific governance model, directing federal agencies to develop tailored AI policies in areas like health, labor, and education.

China:

  • Regulatory Milestones: In 2022, China implemented some of the world’s first nationally binding regulations that target specific AI applications.
  • Specific Regulations: New laws have been put in place to manage recommendation algorithms, particularly focusing on their role in information dissemination.

Source:The Hindu

Mains Practice Question:

“Discuss the implications of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity. Analyze how AI can be both a boon and a bane in enhancing security measures and perpetuating cyber threats. Suggest measures that could be adopted at national and international levels to mitigate the risks posed by AI in cybersecurity.”

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