To help you understand how AI and other new technologies are affecting energy consumption, trends in this space and what we expect to happen in the future, our highly experienced Kiplinger Letter team will keep you abreast of the latest developments and forecasts. (Get a free issue of The Kiplinger Letter or subscribe). You'll get all the latest news first by subscribing, but we will publish many (but not all) of the forecasts a few days afterward online. Here’s the latest…
A new and rising cybersecurity threat: Vulnerabilities from artificial intelligence as companies increasingly adopt generative AI, the tech behind ChatGPT and many other chatbots.
AI threats join a slew of other cyber risks. Though new AI security risks are known there are no surefire ways to address them. One big issue is the massive amounts of data needed to train complex AI models so users can create text, code, images, video, data analyses, charts, etc., by writing questions or prompts in plain English.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The AI chatbots can leak company info in a data breach. Sensitive company info is used for internal AI chatbots, including financial data, customer info, product research and legal files. Publicly available AI chatbots may pose more risk because now an outside party controls company data.
Hackers can even trick the AI model to get it to leak sensitive data with clever phrasing or repeated questions…a “prompt injection attack”, even if there are guardrails in place. Sources of data, programming code, company secrets, etc., are at risk.
Cyber pros are not confident in the current security of generative AI tools — both internal company apps and external ones from Google, ChatGPT and others. Some of the top recommendations for securing AI tools:
- Vet vendors closely.
- Have a clear policy on generative AI, including what apps are approved and in use, who is using them and what data are involved.
- Consider blocking certain outside apps.
- Vendors such as Microsoft, Forcepoint and Palo Alto Networks can scan AI models for security risks and track sensitive data and employee use.
It’s a fast-growing area...
Meanwhile, hackers are weaponizing emerging AI tools for cyberattacks, such as creating malicious software or sophisticated email phishing operations. Criminals can do this without technical know-how — just ask an AI chatbot for help.
Other trends to watch:
- An increase in supply chain attacks, where hackers target third-party software vendors and regular suppliers to steal the info they hold.
- New legal liability for security leaders related to SEC regulations and lawsuits. More companies are extending directors' and officers' insurance to security execs.
- Companies spending more to battle deepfakes — AI-manipulated media that put executives or customers at risk. Defensive tools include Reality Defender, a deepfake detection system.
- Ransomware remains a big problem, with hackers trying to lock down data and extort a payment. Attackers are becoming more evasive and persistent, too.
Businesses should continue to emphasize tried-and-true best practices — patching software regularly, two-factor authentication, employee security training, incident response plans, etc. Plus, they should always prioritize security when adopting new AI tools.
This forecast first appeared in The Kiplinger Letter, which has been running since 1923 and is a collection of concise weekly forecasts on business and economic trends, as well as what to expect from Washington, to help you understand what’s coming up to make the most of your investments and your money. Subscribe to The Kiplinger Letter.
Related Content
-
How Collectibles Are TaxedCollectibles Gains on collectibles can be subject to a higher rate than for most other investments.
-
Why Adobe Stock Is Down After Its Earnings BeatAdobe stock is lower Thursday despite the tech giant beating expectations for its fiscal 2024 fourth quarter. Here's what you need to know.
-
Don't Sleep on Japan's Economic TransformationThe Letter After almost three lost decades, Japan — one of the world's biggest economies — is finally showing signs of life.
-
Kiplinger Outlook: Telecom Companies Brace for Tough TimesThe Letter The telecom industry is entering a new era that threatens profitability. But the coming Trump administration will make it easier for the major players to adjust.
-
Start-ups Trying to (Profitably) Solve the World’s Hardest ProblemsThe Letter More investors are interested in companies working on breakthrough science to tackle huge societal challenges. The field of deep tech has major tailwinds, too.
-
The Big Questions for AR’s FutureThe Letter As Meta shows off a flashy AR prototype, Microsoft quietly stops supporting its own AR headset. The two companies highlight the promise and peril of AR.
-
China's Economy Faces Darkening OutlookThe Letter What the slowdown in China means for U.S. businesses.
-
AI Start-ups Keep Scoring Huge SumsThe Kiplinger Letter Investors continue to make bigger bets on artificial intelligence start-ups, even for small teams with no revenue. Some backers think a startling tech breakthrough is near.
-
Should We Worry About the Slowing U.S. EconomyThe Letter With the labor market cooling off and financial markets turning jittery, just how healthy is the economy right now?
-
New Phones Get All the Hype, but Consumers Still Love Old Models
The Letter Even as flashy artificial intelligence features drive sales of new smartphones, used phones continue to fetch big bucks as demand outstrips supply.
