In the digital age, virtually every aspect of people’s lives is connected through digital channels. On the positive side, this allows instant communication and information access, as well as global connectivity. But this connectivity also introduces a myriad of risks, with cybersecurity threats chief among them.
In such an environment, protecting sensitive information and critical infrastructure has never been more crucial. And yet, the cybersecurity industry is short 4 million workers.
That’s why we invited Tom Vazdar, the program chair of the Master in Enterprise Cybersecurity program at the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT), to shed light on cybersecurity’s critical role in safeguarding our interconnected world. Professor Vazdar will also walk us through the Enterprise Cybersecurity Master’s program at OPIT, explaining what makes it stand out among similar programs.
With extensive experience in various industries (like finance and manufacturing) and countless successful cybersecurity strategies, risk management frameworks, and compliance initiatives under his belt, Professor Vazdar is truly the one to consult. His take on the pressing challenges (and solutions) within the cybersecurity field is invaluable for future students and those already in the industry.
The Current State of Cybersecurity
As Professor Vazdar puts it, “We are living in an era where digital transformation is accelerating.” So, it’s not surprising that new trends (and challenges) continue to emerge in the field. Here’s what Professor Vazdar has to say about them.
Cyberattacks Are Increasing
According to the ISACA’s 2023 State of Cybersecurity report, 48% of organizations reported an increase in cyberattacks compared to the year prior. Professor Vazdar says that this primarily has to do with the increasing complexity of cyberthreats. Simply put, organizations can’t keep up with the escalating sophistication of these threats, resulting in their increased frequency.
But there’s another element to this alarming increase in the number of cyberattacks – a lack of transparency. You see, Professor Vazdar claims that many organizations are believed to underreport cyberattacks. Such underreporting might be due to concerns about reputational damage or regulatory consequences. Either way, it’s exceptionally harmful to the industry, as it hinders the ability to collaborate on developing effective countermeasures and strengthening collective cybersecurity defenses.
Cybersecurity Lacks Workers
As previously mentioned, the cybersecurity industry is experiencing a severe staffing challenge. Interestingly, this doesn’t mean the number of cybersecurity professionals is decreasing. It’s quite the opposite, really.
In 2023, the global cybersecurity workforce grew 8.7% to reach 5.5 million people, a record high. And yet, another 4 million professionals are needed to meet the escalating demand for cybersecurity. If there has ever been a stat to prove just how critical cybersecurity is, this undoubtedly does it.
New Technologies Are Constantly Adopted
Artificial intelligence. Machine learning. Cloud computing. Internet of Things. Blockchain technology. These are just some of the technologies Professor Vazdar singles out as transformative forces reshaping cybersecurity.
On the one hand, these technologies have the power to enhance threat detection and cybersecurity response. On the other, they can also introduce new vulnerabilities and threats, such as data poisoning. The worst part? We’ll let Professor Vazdar explain it:
“All of this has come in a really short period of time, and we, as people, are actually struggling to learn about all these new technologies.”
That’s why he emphasizes the need for continual education in the field, as this is the only way to stay ahead of the curve.
Cybersecurity Strategies Are Becoming Proactive and Predictive
Here’s how it used to be in the cybersecurity world, according to Professor Vazdar: A new massive threat would emerge every few years, affecting the whole world. In the aftermath, you would scramble a team together and work tirelessly for a few days to develop a patch or a solution.
As you can imagine, this approach is hardly viable in today’s oversaturated cybersecurity landscape. That’s why “we’re seeing a shift toward more proactive and more predictive security strategies,” as Professor Vazdar puts it.
Cyberpsychology Is Gaining Importance
Cyberpsychology is by no means a new concept. According to Professor Vazdar, this term was first used in 2008 by Professor Zheng Yan. However, its significance has grown exponentially in recent years. This field of study shifts the focus from the cyberthreat to the cyberattacker.
Its goal is to understand what these malicious actors are doing and why. The result? “We, as humans, know how to defend [ourselves].”
According to Professor Vazdar, this is the third (and most important) layer of defense against cyberthreats. The first concerns the physical environment (i.e., the computer and information systems), while the second is a logical layer that “connects everything together.”
No One Is Immune to Cyberthreats
There’s a common misconception that smaller organizations and individuals aren’t “appealing” to hackers and other malicious actors. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. No one is immune to cyberthreats, as cybercriminals always have something to gain (regardless of the target’s size or perceived importance).
That’s why investing in cybersecurity is crucial, whether you work for a small IT team or a huge company or just use technology in your day-to-day life.
Why Continuous Education Matters in Cybersecurity
There’s no doubt about it – cybersecurity should be a top priority for everyone in the industry and beyond. But as Professor Vazdar has underscored, what was effective in cybersecurity yesterday might not be sufficient today.
That’s why he emphasizes that “it’s important to get educated [now] more than ever.”
After all, there’s a single constant in the ever-changing cybersecurity field – humans as a crucial line of defense. The more people get educated, the more resilient the protection against cyberthreats becomes.
Why Pursue a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity at OPIT
One of the postgraduate programs offered by OPIT is the Master of Science (MSc) in Enterprise Cybersecurity. This program is fully remote and can be completed in 12 to 18 months. But enough with the logistics – what makes this program the right choice for getting the much-needed education mentioned above?
Given that he practically shaped this program, Professor Vazdar is the best person to ask this question. He shares with us what makes this program uniquely positioned to prepare students for all the cybersecurity challenges he has touched on in this article.
A Comprehensive Curriculum
According to Professor Vazdar, the first thing that sets this program apart is “the curriculum depth and breadth.” This program covers various topics, from cybersecurity fundamentals (the first module) to advanced areas like AI-driven cybersecurity (the second module).
In other words, this program guarantees two things – a solid cybersecurity foundation and a deep dive into specialized topics. This focus makes it ideal for individuals seeking a well-rounded education in corporate cybersecurity, regardless of their previous experience in the field.
A Unique Structure
Unlike most programs in the industry, OPIT’s Enterprise Cybersecurity program doesn’t solely focus on the technical aspects of cybersecurity. But it doesn’t only dive into the managerial aspect of it either. Instead, it gives you just the “right blend of knowledge,” as Professor Vazdar puts it. Thanks to this approach, you can start working immediately after completing the program. After all, you’re all set skill-wise!
Alignment With Industry Certifications
Industry-standard certifications are becoming increasingly important, as most employers prioritize them when hiring new people. If you’re considering a career in cybersecurity, you’ll be happy to know that OPIT’s Enterprise Cybersecurity program is fully aligned with industry certifications like the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). As Professor Vazdar puts it, this ensures that OPIT graduates are “not only academically proficient but that they’re also industry-ready.”
It’s also important to note that this program is internationally recognized and ECTS-accredited by the European Agency for Higher Education and Accreditation.
An Emphasis on Practical Applications
The Enterprise Cybersecurity program places a strong emphasis on practical applications. After all, this is the only way for OPIT students to be industry-ready upon graduating. That’s why the entire third module of the program is dedicated to a Capstone project, a hands-on endeavor that also serves as your dissertation.
A Supportive Environment
One of the aspects of studying at OPIT we’re most proud of is our carefully crafted support team. From the class coordinator to the career advisors, everyone at OPIT has a single goal – to help you succeed.
To this end, all the professors in the Enterprise Cybersecurity program (and beyond) are either academics or experienced professionals with plenty of valuable insights “from the forefront of cybersecurity.”
This course includes interactive lessons, live lectures, and private mentoring sessions, ensuring you never feel alone or isolated at OPIT.
Unparalleled Flexibility
One of the primary reasons for choosing online studying is its incredible flexibility. But OPIT takes this aspect to another level. Besides dictating your own study pace, OPIT lets you choose from several elective courses, allowing you to tailor your learning to your interests and career goals. Professor Vazdar singles out the following courses as the most appealing in terms of what this article has discussed:
- Behavioral Cybersecurity
- Secure Software Development
- AI-Driven Forensic Analysis in Cybersecurity
Give Yourself a Competitive Edge With OPIT
OPIT’s Master of Science in Enterprise Cybersecurity program does much more than educate students. It also prepares them for the future, allowing them to become leaders in cybersecurity. As Professor Vazdar puts it, “Our graduate students will be well-equipped to tackle current and future cybersecurity challenges in different sectors.” And given just how quickly these challenges evolve, you can’t really put a price on such preparation (and education).
So, get in touch with our team of experts to give yourself a competitive edge in the dynamic field of cybersecurity.
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From the same author
Read the articleThe Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is the perfect place for those looking to master the core skills and gain the fundamental knowledge they need to enter the exciting and dynamic environment of the tech industry. While OPIT’s various degrees and courses unlock the doors to numerous careers, students may not know exactly which line of work they wish to enter, or how, exactly, to take the next steps.
That’s why, as well as providing exceptional online education in fields like Responsible AI, Computer Science, and Digital Business, OPIT also offers an array of career-related services, like the Peer Career Mentoring Program. Designed to provide the expert advice and support students need, this program helps students and alumni gain inspiration and insight to map out their future careers.
Introducing the OPIT Peer Career Mentoring Program
As the name implies, OPIT’s Peer Career Mentoring Program is about connecting students and alumni with experienced peers to provide insights, guidance, and mentorship and support their next steps on both a personal and professional level.
It provides a highly supportive and empowering space in which current and former learners can receive career-related advice and guidance, harnessing the rich and varied experiences of the OPIT community to accelerate growth and development.
Meet the Mentors
Plenty of experienced, expert mentors have already signed up to play their part in the Peer Career Mentoring Program at OPIT. They include managers, analysts, researchers, and more, all ready and eager to share the benefits of their experience and their unique perspectives on the tech industry, careers in tech, and the educational experience at OPIT.
Examples include:
- Marco Lorenzi: Having graduated from the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI program at OPIT, Marco has since progressed to a role as a Prompt Engineer at RWS Group and is passionate about supporting younger learners as they take their first steps into the workforce or seek career evolution.
- Antonio Amendolagine: Antonio graduated from the OPIT MSc in Applied Data Science and AI and currently works as a Product Marketing and CRM Manager with MER MEC SpA, focusing on international B2B businesses. Like other mentors in the program, he enjoys helping students feel more confident about achieving their future aims.
- Asya Mantovani: Asya took the MSc in Responsible AI program at OPIT before taking the next steps in her career as a Software Engineer with Accenture, one of the largest IT companies in the world, and a trusted partner of the institute. With a firm belief in knowledge-sharing and mutual support, she’s eager to help students progress and succeed.
The Value of the Peer Mentoring Program
The OPIT Peer Career Mentoring Program is an invaluable source of support, inspiration, motivation, and guidance for the many students and graduates of OPIT who feel the need for a helping hand or guiding light to help them find the way or make the right decisions moving forward. It’s a program built around the sharing of wisdom, skills, and insights, designed to empower all who take part.
Every student is different. Some have very clear, fixed, and firm objectives in mind for their futures. Others may have a slightly more vague outline of where they want to go and what they want to do. Others live more in the moment, focusing purely on the here and now, but not thinking too far ahead. All of these different types of people may need guidance and support from time to time, and peer mentoring provides that.
This program is also just one of many ways in which OPIT bridges the gaps between learners around the world, creating a whole community of students and educators, linked together by their shared passions for technology and development. So, even though you may study remotely at OPIT, you never need to feel alone or isolated from your peers.
Additional Career Services Offered by OPIT
The Peer Career Mentoring Program is just one part of the larger array of career services that students enjoy at the Open Institute of Technology.
- Career Coaching and Support: Students can schedule one-to-one sessions with the institute’s experts to receive insightful feedback, flexibly customized to their exact needs and situation. They can request resume audits, hone their interview skills, and develop action plans for the future, all with the help of experienced, expert coaches.
- Resource Hub: Maybe you need help differentiating between various career paths, or seeing where your degree might take you. Or you need a bit of assistance in handling the challenges of the job-hunting process. Either way, the OPIT Resource Hub contains the in-depth guides you need to get ahead and gain practical skills to confidently move forward.
- Career Events: Regularly, OPIT hosts online career event sessions with industry experts and leaders as guest speakers about the topics that most interest today’s tech students and graduates. You can join workshops to sharpen your skills and become a better prospect in the job market, or just listen to the lessons and insights of the pros.
- Internship Opportunities: There are few better ways to begin your professional journey than an internship at a top-tier company. OPIT unlocks the doors to numerous internship roles with trusted institute partners, as well as additional professional and project opportunities where you can get hands-on work experience at a high level.
In addition to the above, OPIT also teams up with an array of leading organizations around the world, including some of the biggest names, including AWS, Accenture, and Hype. Through this network of trust, OPIT facilitates students’ steps into the world of work.
Start Your Study Journey Today
As well as the Peer Career Mentoring Program, OPIT provides numerous other exciting advantages for those who enroll, including progressive assessments, round-the-clock support, affordable rates, and a team of international professors from top universities with real-world experience in technology. In short, it’s the perfect place to push forward and get the knowledge you need to succeed.
So, if you’re eager to become a tech leader of tomorrow, learn more about OPIT today.
Read the articleThe world has entered the age of artificial intelligence (AI), and this exciting new technology is already changing the face of society in an ever-growing number of ways. It’s influencing a plethora of industries and sectors, from healthcare and education to finance and urban planning. This guide explores AI’s impact on three of the core pillars of life: business, education, and sustainability.
AI in Business: Unlocking Unprecedented Opportunities
In the world of business, the number of uses of AI is growing by the day. Whether it’s in sales, marketing, customer relations, operational optimization, cybersecurity, data management, or some other aspect of organizational life, there are so many ways this technology can unlock new opportunities or expedite existing processes.
Take data as an example. Many businesses now collect and use large amounts of data to inform their decisions in areas like product development or marketing strategy. But they have, up to now, been limited in how they can structure, visualize, and analyze their data. AI changes all that, as it can dig into vast databases with ease, extracting insights to drive actionable decisions in no time.
AI also bridges gaps in communications. It has the power to speak in most major languages, translating audio or written text with astonishing accuracy in an instant. In a globalized world, where many businesses buy and sell with partners, suppliers, investors, and other stakeholders from other nations, AI can help them communicate and exchange information more easily and reliably.
AI in Education: Democratizing and Accelerating the Learning Process
In the educational sector, AI is solving problems that have plagued this industry for generations and transforming the ways in which students learn and teachers teach. It can be used, for example, to personalize a student’s learning plan or adapt content to align with each learner’s favored learning style, making it easier for them to soak up and retain information and skills.
AI’s generative capabilities are also proving useful in the education sector. Teachers, for example, can turn to generative AI models to create lesson plans or supplementary content to support their courses, such as tables, charts, infographics, and images. This all helps to make the learning experience more diverse, dynamic, and engaging for every kind of learner.
On a broader level, there’s clear potential for AI to democratize education across the globe, making learning more accessible to all. That includes those in developing nations who may normally lack opportunities to gain knowledge and skills to achieve their ambitions. If harnessed correctly and responsibly, this technology could elevate education to whole new heights.
AI in Sustainability: Smarter Cities and Next-Level Efficiency
Sustainability is one of the sticking points when talking about AI, as many critics of the technology point to the fact that it involves huge amounts of energy and relies heavily on large and costly data centers to operate. At the same time, AI could also solve many of the sustainability crises facing the world today, uncovering solutions and innovations that may have previously taken decades to develop.
It’s already proving its value in this domain. For instance, DeepMind developed an AI system that was actually able to optimize data center energy efficiency, cutting the amount of energy used to cool data center hardware by a whopping 40% and improving energy efficiency in certain centers by 15%. That’s just one example, and it’s only the start of what AI could do from an environmental perspective.
This tech is also making cities smarter, more efficient, and more pleasant in which to live through AI-powered navigation aids or traffic redistribution systems. It also holds potential for future urban planning, city development, and infrastructure construction, provided the correct systems and frameworks can be established to make the best use of AI’s advantages.
The Ethical Challenges and Risks of AI
Despite its almost countless advantages and possible applications, AI is not without its flaws. This technology brings challenges and risks to go along with its opportunities, and five leading examples include:
- Bias: Algorithmic bias is an issue that has already presented itself during the relatively brief existence of AI so far. Some systems, for example, have issued responses or generated content that could be classified as discriminatory or prejudiced, due to the training data they were given.
- Privacy: There are fears among populations and analysts about the amount of data being fed into AI systems and how such data could be misused, potentially violating people’s rights of privacy and falling foul of data privacy regulations, such as GDPR.
- Misuse: Like so many game-changing technologies, AI has the potential to be used for both benevolent and malicious purposes. It may be used to spread misinformation and “fake news,” influence public opinion, or even in cyber-attacks, for instance.
- Over-reliance: AI is so powerful, with the capacity to carry out tasks with remarkable precision and speed, that it will be tempting for organizations to integrate it into many of their workflows and decision-making processes. But AI cannot be treated as a substitute for human judgment.
- Sustainability: There are also fears about the energy costs associated with AI and the data centers needed to power it, plus the fact that some elements of the burgeoning AI industry may exploit workers in poorer nations worldwide.
Solving These Challenges: Regulation and Responsible Use of AI
With the right approach, it is possible to solve all the above challenges, and more, making AI the most valuable and beneficial new technology the world has seen since the advent of the internet. This will require a two-pronged strategy focusing on both regulation and responsible usage.
Europe is already leading the way in the first aspect. It has introduced the AI Act – a world-first regulatory framework related to artificial intelligence, laying out how it should be used to drive innovation without infringing on the fundamental rights of workers and the larger public.
Educational institutions like the OPIT – Open Institute of Technology are also leading the way in the second aspect, educating people around the world on how to work with AI in a responsible, ethical way, through programs like the MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence.
By establishing rules and regulations about AI’s usage and educating the tech leaders of tomorrow in how to work with AI in a fair and responsible way, the future is bright for this exciting and extraordinary new technology.
-
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Related posts
The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is the perfect place for those looking to master the core skills and gain the fundamental knowledge they need to enter the exciting and dynamic environment of the tech industry. While OPIT’s various degrees and courses unlock the doors to numerous careers, students may not know exactly which line of work they wish to enter, or how, exactly, to take the next steps.
That’s why, as well as providing exceptional online education in fields like Responsible AI, Computer Science, and Digital Business, OPIT also offers an array of career-related services, like the Peer Career Mentoring Program. Designed to provide the expert advice and support students need, this program helps students and alumni gain inspiration and insight to map out their future careers.
Introducing the OPIT Peer Career Mentoring Program
As the name implies, OPIT’s Peer Career Mentoring Program is about connecting students and alumni with experienced peers to provide insights, guidance, and mentorship and support their next steps on both a personal and professional level.
It provides a highly supportive and empowering space in which current and former learners can receive career-related advice and guidance, harnessing the rich and varied experiences of the OPIT community to accelerate growth and development.
Meet the Mentors
Plenty of experienced, expert mentors have already signed up to play their part in the Peer Career Mentoring Program at OPIT. They include managers, analysts, researchers, and more, all ready and eager to share the benefits of their experience and their unique perspectives on the tech industry, careers in tech, and the educational experience at OPIT.
Examples include:
- Marco Lorenzi: Having graduated from the MSc in Applied Data Science and AI program at OPIT, Marco has since progressed to a role as a Prompt Engineer at RWS Group and is passionate about supporting younger learners as they take their first steps into the workforce or seek career evolution.
- Antonio Amendolagine: Antonio graduated from the OPIT MSc in Applied Data Science and AI and currently works as a Product Marketing and CRM Manager with MER MEC SpA, focusing on international B2B businesses. Like other mentors in the program, he enjoys helping students feel more confident about achieving their future aims.
- Asya Mantovani: Asya took the MSc in Responsible AI program at OPIT before taking the next steps in her career as a Software Engineer with Accenture, one of the largest IT companies in the world, and a trusted partner of the institute. With a firm belief in knowledge-sharing and mutual support, she’s eager to help students progress and succeed.
The Value of the Peer Mentoring Program
The OPIT Peer Career Mentoring Program is an invaluable source of support, inspiration, motivation, and guidance for the many students and graduates of OPIT who feel the need for a helping hand or guiding light to help them find the way or make the right decisions moving forward. It’s a program built around the sharing of wisdom, skills, and insights, designed to empower all who take part.
Every student is different. Some have very clear, fixed, and firm objectives in mind for their futures. Others may have a slightly more vague outline of where they want to go and what they want to do. Others live more in the moment, focusing purely on the here and now, but not thinking too far ahead. All of these different types of people may need guidance and support from time to time, and peer mentoring provides that.
This program is also just one of many ways in which OPIT bridges the gaps between learners around the world, creating a whole community of students and educators, linked together by their shared passions for technology and development. So, even though you may study remotely at OPIT, you never need to feel alone or isolated from your peers.
Additional Career Services Offered by OPIT
The Peer Career Mentoring Program is just one part of the larger array of career services that students enjoy at the Open Institute of Technology.
- Career Coaching and Support: Students can schedule one-to-one sessions with the institute’s experts to receive insightful feedback, flexibly customized to their exact needs and situation. They can request resume audits, hone their interview skills, and develop action plans for the future, all with the help of experienced, expert coaches.
- Resource Hub: Maybe you need help differentiating between various career paths, or seeing where your degree might take you. Or you need a bit of assistance in handling the challenges of the job-hunting process. Either way, the OPIT Resource Hub contains the in-depth guides you need to get ahead and gain practical skills to confidently move forward.
- Career Events: Regularly, OPIT hosts online career event sessions with industry experts and leaders as guest speakers about the topics that most interest today’s tech students and graduates. You can join workshops to sharpen your skills and become a better prospect in the job market, or just listen to the lessons and insights of the pros.
- Internship Opportunities: There are few better ways to begin your professional journey than an internship at a top-tier company. OPIT unlocks the doors to numerous internship roles with trusted institute partners, as well as additional professional and project opportunities where you can get hands-on work experience at a high level.
In addition to the above, OPIT also teams up with an array of leading organizations around the world, including some of the biggest names, including AWS, Accenture, and Hype. Through this network of trust, OPIT facilitates students’ steps into the world of work.
Start Your Study Journey Today
As well as the Peer Career Mentoring Program, OPIT provides numerous other exciting advantages for those who enroll, including progressive assessments, round-the-clock support, affordable rates, and a team of international professors from top universities with real-world experience in technology. In short, it’s the perfect place to push forward and get the knowledge you need to succeed.
So, if you’re eager to become a tech leader of tomorrow, learn more about OPIT today.
The world has entered the age of artificial intelligence (AI), and this exciting new technology is already changing the face of society in an ever-growing number of ways. It’s influencing a plethora of industries and sectors, from healthcare and education to finance and urban planning. This guide explores AI’s impact on three of the core pillars of life: business, education, and sustainability.
AI in Business: Unlocking Unprecedented Opportunities
In the world of business, the number of uses of AI is growing by the day. Whether it’s in sales, marketing, customer relations, operational optimization, cybersecurity, data management, or some other aspect of organizational life, there are so many ways this technology can unlock new opportunities or expedite existing processes.
Take data as an example. Many businesses now collect and use large amounts of data to inform their decisions in areas like product development or marketing strategy. But they have, up to now, been limited in how they can structure, visualize, and analyze their data. AI changes all that, as it can dig into vast databases with ease, extracting insights to drive actionable decisions in no time.
AI also bridges gaps in communications. It has the power to speak in most major languages, translating audio or written text with astonishing accuracy in an instant. In a globalized world, where many businesses buy and sell with partners, suppliers, investors, and other stakeholders from other nations, AI can help them communicate and exchange information more easily and reliably.
AI in Education: Democratizing and Accelerating the Learning Process
In the educational sector, AI is solving problems that have plagued this industry for generations and transforming the ways in which students learn and teachers teach. It can be used, for example, to personalize a student’s learning plan or adapt content to align with each learner’s favored learning style, making it easier for them to soak up and retain information and skills.
AI’s generative capabilities are also proving useful in the education sector. Teachers, for example, can turn to generative AI models to create lesson plans or supplementary content to support their courses, such as tables, charts, infographics, and images. This all helps to make the learning experience more diverse, dynamic, and engaging for every kind of learner.
On a broader level, there’s clear potential for AI to democratize education across the globe, making learning more accessible to all. That includes those in developing nations who may normally lack opportunities to gain knowledge and skills to achieve their ambitions. If harnessed correctly and responsibly, this technology could elevate education to whole new heights.
AI in Sustainability: Smarter Cities and Next-Level Efficiency
Sustainability is one of the sticking points when talking about AI, as many critics of the technology point to the fact that it involves huge amounts of energy and relies heavily on large and costly data centers to operate. At the same time, AI could also solve many of the sustainability crises facing the world today, uncovering solutions and innovations that may have previously taken decades to develop.
It’s already proving its value in this domain. For instance, DeepMind developed an AI system that was actually able to optimize data center energy efficiency, cutting the amount of energy used to cool data center hardware by a whopping 40% and improving energy efficiency in certain centers by 15%. That’s just one example, and it’s only the start of what AI could do from an environmental perspective.
This tech is also making cities smarter, more efficient, and more pleasant in which to live through AI-powered navigation aids or traffic redistribution systems. It also holds potential for future urban planning, city development, and infrastructure construction, provided the correct systems and frameworks can be established to make the best use of AI’s advantages.
The Ethical Challenges and Risks of AI
Despite its almost countless advantages and possible applications, AI is not without its flaws. This technology brings challenges and risks to go along with its opportunities, and five leading examples include:
- Bias: Algorithmic bias is an issue that has already presented itself during the relatively brief existence of AI so far. Some systems, for example, have issued responses or generated content that could be classified as discriminatory or prejudiced, due to the training data they were given.
- Privacy: There are fears among populations and analysts about the amount of data being fed into AI systems and how such data could be misused, potentially violating people’s rights of privacy and falling foul of data privacy regulations, such as GDPR.
- Misuse: Like so many game-changing technologies, AI has the potential to be used for both benevolent and malicious purposes. It may be used to spread misinformation and “fake news,” influence public opinion, or even in cyber-attacks, for instance.
- Over-reliance: AI is so powerful, with the capacity to carry out tasks with remarkable precision and speed, that it will be tempting for organizations to integrate it into many of their workflows and decision-making processes. But AI cannot be treated as a substitute for human judgment.
- Sustainability: There are also fears about the energy costs associated with AI and the data centers needed to power it, plus the fact that some elements of the burgeoning AI industry may exploit workers in poorer nations worldwide.
Solving These Challenges: Regulation and Responsible Use of AI
With the right approach, it is possible to solve all the above challenges, and more, making AI the most valuable and beneficial new technology the world has seen since the advent of the internet. This will require a two-pronged strategy focusing on both regulation and responsible usage.
Europe is already leading the way in the first aspect. It has introduced the AI Act – a world-first regulatory framework related to artificial intelligence, laying out how it should be used to drive innovation without infringing on the fundamental rights of workers and the larger public.
Educational institutions like the OPIT – Open Institute of Technology are also leading the way in the second aspect, educating people around the world on how to work with AI in a responsible, ethical way, through programs like the MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence.
By establishing rules and regulations about AI’s usage and educating the tech leaders of tomorrow in how to work with AI in a fair and responsible way, the future is bright for this exciting and extraordinary new technology.
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