ADSactly Tech News - AI May Bring Increased Cybercrime and Security Challenges!

in #ai7 years ago (edited)

ADSactly Tech News: AI May Bring Increased Cybercrime and Security Challenges!





Image Source: Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

  • Experts warn that actions must be taken in efforts to control artificial intelligence from spiraling out of control.
  • AI may prove to play an increasingly large role in cybercrime and nefarious activities.

In an age of artificial intelligence technologies there will certainly be cases of it being used for good as well as bad.

The question we have to ask ourselves is what applications should this new and revolutionary technology be used for

could enable new forms of cybercrime, political disruption and even physical attacks within five years, a group of 26 experts from around the world have warned.

In a new report, the academic, industry and the charitable sector experts, describe AI as a “dual use technology” with potential military and civilian uses, akin to nuclear power, explosives and hacking tools.

“As AI capabilities become more powerful and widespread, we expect the growing use of AI systems to lead to the expansion of existing threats, the introduction of new threats and a change to the typical character of threats,” the report says.

They argue that researchers need to consider potential misuse of AI far earlier in the course of their studies than they do at present, and work to create appropriate regulatory frameworks to prevent malicious uses of AI.

If the advice is not followed, the report warns that AI is likely to revolutionise the power of bad actors to threaten everyday life. Beyond that, AI could be used to lower the barrier to entry for carrying out damaging hacking attacks.

Can you believe a world where the discovery of critical software bugs has become automated? Or a world in which malicious AI rapidly selects potential victims for financial crime?

This new approach may even be used to abuse Facebook-style algorithmic profiling to create “social engineering” attacks designed to maximise the likelihood that a user will click on a malicious link or download an infected attachment. Talk about creepy right?


Image Source: Rob Engelaar/EPA


The increasing influence of AI on the physical world is also increasing the likelihood for AI misuse. One interesting example previously discussed is the idea of weaponising “drone swarms." They could be fitted with small explosives and self-driving technology and then set loose to carry out untraceable assassinations. They have been called “slaughterbots" and its something right out of a science fiction novel!

Want to get a good look at what I'm talking about, check out the video below!



Beyond the potential for drone swarms creating a leathal and hostile environment for everyday people the potential for AI playing a role in political disruption also very plausible.

Nation states may decide to use automated surveillance platforms to suppress dissent – as is already the case in China, particularly for the Uighur people in the nation’s northwest.

Others may create “automated, hyper-personalised disinformation campaigns”, targeting every individual voter with a distinct set of lies designed to influence their behaviour.

What kind of a world are we going to leave for our children? This is the question that needs to be asked when we consider how much activism and research in needed in controlling the direction of AI development. I don't know about you but I find the fact that China is already using AI for the nefarious use of suppressing dissent as a preview of what is to come unless we as a people can get our hands dirty in managing this AI rollout.

Beyond some of the cases meant for above its also possible for AI to increase the ability of bad actors to perform “denial-of-information attacks." Through the use of sophisticated AI systems, it will be possible to generate so many convincing fake news stories that legitimate information becomes almost impossible to discern from the the disinformation campaigns that bad actors will be able to implement.

Seán Ó hÉigeartaigh is a researcher at the University of Cambridge’s centre for the study of existential risk. When asked about the potential for AI to reap havoc on the masses he said: “We live in a world that could become fraught with day-to-day hazards from the misuse of AI and we need to take ownership of the problems – because the risks are real. There are choices that we need to make now, and our report is a call-to-action for governments, institutions and individuals across the globe."





Image Source: Pexels

I would tend to agree with Sean in his belief that the risks that AI will be misused are very real. This isn't paranoia this is a look at the greed and power lust that drives many human beings to do unspeakable things on a day to day basis.

It is important to find a balanced way to handle the rollout of AI into the real world and I don't think taking a stance completely against AI is the right way to go about things either. There is certainly a lot of potential good that can come out of developing this technology and using it to fix our world's problems.

To further prove my point here, it seems clear that not everyone is convinced that AI poses such a risk. For example, Dmitri Alperovitch, the co-founder of information security firm CrowdStrike, said: “I am not of the view that the sky is going to come down and the earth open up."

“There are going to be improvements on both sides; this is an ongoing arms race. AI is going to be extremely beneficial, and already is, to the field of cybersecurity. It’s also going to be beneficial to criminals. It remains to be seen which side is going to benefit from it more."

“My prediction is it’s going to be more beneficial to the defensive side, because where AI shines is in massive data collection, which applies more to the defence than offence.”

I think there are a lot of valid points made by Dmitiri here. The sky probably won't come down and the earth won't open up. As AI gets more sophisticated things will change and society will be restructured but for the most part life will go on. He sees AI as a fantastic tool to create a safer and more secure world. His points about AI being more useful to defense than offence is quite interesting. I'm not sure I completely agree with that point but it does seem to have merit.





Image Source: Pexels

In conclusion, from the research I've conducted around this topic, it does seem to hold constant that AI will be the best defence against AI. The world has entered a new age in which nuclear arms have been replaced by cyberwarfare and the race to create superior AI platforms is on both privately and publicly.

There is a lot of potential for AI to completely transform our world in positive ways assuming the people in charge of their design and implementation have good intentions in mind. I certainly won't be losing sleep over this issue but I will also be keeping a close eye on this topic in the news over the next few months as I do believe we are going to see some major breakthroughs in 2018.

What does the ADSactly community think about AI and its potential for increased cyberwarfare and cybercrime?

Do you see AI as more of a tool for good or evil? Do you have any examples of AI already being used in our world to improve the quality of life for people?

Here's a chance for the Steemit community to leave their thoughts and opinions on this topic!

Thanks for reading.


Authored by: @techblogger

In-text citations sources:

"Growth of AI could boost cybercrime and security threats, report warns" - The Guardian

Image Sources: The Guardian, Pexels


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good article~ voting!!

Agreed this was a great article, thanks for the quality content @Techblogger!

hey rex I will be appreciated if you vote on my comment.

@Arslan usually people have trouble respecting someone who begs for votes... Try to avoid this behavior in the future. @rex1442, thanks for your positive remarks, I'm happy you enjoyed my article.

sorry Its my mistake
Thanks
I will never do that again

Right!
This is all we shoud know for future.
We also shoul study this roughly,

nice post

Yes you are right

Criminals will always find a way to the tools available to them. Those smart enough to understand the technology will always be tempted to turn to the "dark side" and use them for personal gain.

i'd rather be proactive than being reactive, it's like saying that cryptocurrency will change the world for a better. :)

Its much better to stay on top of things or else they have a way of getting out of hand!

I think you are absolutely right in your notion that it is better to be proactive than reactive!

it's like saying that cryptocurrency will change the world for a better. :)

I get what you are saying here as well. We must support cryptocurrencies that are doing this and our world must create crypto projects that actually are intended to change the world for the better!

I think cryptocurrency also will influence us:on the world

I think I understand your logic with this point. You are saying that we need to support and fight for trusted organizations developing their own AI advancements. A good defense is the best offense!

Same thoughts her, bro.

I think one of the biggest point you make here is the fact that most people don’t see the dangers. We live in a society that is always looking for the next big thing and more convienience. I personally think that AI has a lot of useful benefits but in no way am I ready to see AI have complete and autonomous control over things. What if what we have seen in sci fi movies has some relavence? Can you imagine if AI was unable to be taken back under control and at some point decided that humans were no longer efficient enough. Far fetched? Maybe but I don’t think anyone knows the power potential of AI truly. Just the other day o read a post about the move to have AI control entire governments to fix the problems around many countries in the world. This would be like handing the keys over to someone/something we don’t know. What could be the impact of this? I don’t think any of us know. This is one case where we need not rush to achieve but rather be calculated and ensure safety and control.

Agreed. People simply don't see the dangers of abusing technology.

What does the ADSactly community think about AI and its potential for increased cyberwarfare and cybercrime?

I think that in the near future, as artificial intelligence systems become more capable, we will begin to see more automated and increased social and other network attacks such as personal data thefts, and an epidemic level spread of viruses. Ironically, I think our best hope to fight against AI enabled hacking is by using AI. Let’s say they if one of today’s cybersecurity systems fails, the damage can be unpleasant, but is tolerable in most cases, for example where someone loses money or privacy. But for human level AI, the consequences could be catastrophic. A single failure of AI system could cause a great event, an event that has the potential to damage human wellbeing on a global scale. And that’s what I’m afraid is inevitable.

Absolutely. Social network attacks will become commonplace without a doubt!

The main point when we examine this question should be that the horses already left the stable and we can't stop the advancment of the AI technologies.
Now - I heavily age with this Dmitri - offensive usage of AI will meet defensive counter use and the defensive side can look four vulnerabilities just the same, and fix them.
Criminals are usually less resourceful than countries so we should indeed be less worried about acts and more about the acts of countries- thirds makes me think that the UN should draft a convention for the usage of AI in offensive actress between countries - this is a wild field without rules right now and having internationally accepted set of rules might diminish the extent of the consequences of AI usage.

Another interesting aspect you might investigate in a future article is the defenses needed in order to make sure the technology won't develop a mind of her own and refuse obeying the creator - which can lead her to attack the creator itself in a worst case scenario.

Thanks for an interesting article!

AI must become more defensive in nature!

It's cool having a vote bot replying to me :) anyway - I don't think if it's too hard to implement - you just take the offensive tech, use it to find the flaws, and fix them.
I'm sure defensive functionality already exist and being improved but using the offensive one in a reversed way shouldn't be too hard.

Great article. Considering you for witness...

That's a fantastic idea!

I'm really happy you liked this article! Please do consider voting @ADSactly for witness. The society has helped so many people and will continue to do so but it needs the Steem community's support. A great way for minnows to gain more power on this platform is by supporting ADSactly and getting involved / propose suggestions for the society's consideration!

@techblogger I'm new here on the platform but even before joining I have read some of your posts. I liked your articles so I followed you as soon as my account got approved. Anyway, since I'm a newbie, I would like to ask you how exactly can @ADSactly help newbies on the platform gain influence and more followers.

Well start by joining the discord. Try to make friends with community members and leaders. Study the guiding philosophy behind ADSactly and if you follow all those tips drop a comment on a future article and let me know how they worked!

What if you're 'plankton', like me?

Advanced Technology could also mean advanced approach on doing cybercrime!

Cybercrime is going to become increasingly common in the near future. We must be prepared to counteract this nefarious force with increased cybersecurity. Normal everyday people will need militia style cybersecurity as well...

Normal everyday people I have found do not even know they are infected with malware, virus or other boogers until something stops working, and even then they don't know until someone tells them. Sometimes they don't even care, nor do they change their behavior which caused the infection. It makes me want to bang my head against the wall.

Other side, will appear advance technology to defence doing cybercrime!

Advanced cybercrime will go hand in hand with their ability to access increasingly advanced technology and methods. Lets hope the world is prepared for this new and security driven future!

Artificial intelligence is the future.. Thats the way it is

Ransomware is unique among cybercrime because in order for the attack to be successful, it requires the victim to become a willing accomplice after the fact.