Artificial intelligence is at the core of what’s being called both the new space race and the new arms race, pitting global powers (i.e., the U.S., Russia, China) against each other to determine the “ruler of the world.” But unlike those other races of days gone by, which tended to involve air forces, spacecraft, Manhattan projects and intercontinental ballistic missiles, AI isn’t limited to the big cheeses on the U.S. Security Council. Because it’s software, it can be employed by groups and individuals much further down the chain of aggression. These days, just about anybody can have the digital equivalent of nukes.
AI — in the form of machine learning, neural networks, cognitive computing and other approaches — has shown its power for good in fields as varied as medicine, business, transportation, cybersecurity and many others. But that power can also be put to nefarious uses beyond the tradecraft of world powers. Smaller nations, terrorist groups and straight-up criminals can now add AI to their arsenals.
A recent survey by the cybersecurity company Webroot found 91 percent of security professionals worry about hackers using AI in their attacks. How can AI ramp up attacks? Read all about it, only in GovernmentCIO Magazine.