Ep 52 - AI, Ethics and Cybersecurity

In this thought-provoking episode of Conf T, hosts Bryan Young and Tom Porto sit down with Joe Marshall, also known as Rooster Cogburn. Joe, a Senior Security Strategist with Talos, brings his expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning to the table.

1. AI vs ML: We kick off the episode by addressing a common confusion - what is the difference between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)? Thanks to an enlightening explanation from ChatGPT, we now know that AI is the broader concept of machines being able to carry out tasks in a way we would consider 'smart', while ML is a specific subset of AI that involves the idea of training machines on data to learn and make decisions.

2. AI Confidence and Source Citation: A deep dive into the issues surrounding AI's confidence and its lack of source citation. We discuss why it's so important for AI to cite its sources and how it can be improved.

3. Ethical Guardrails in AI: Joe gives an insightful perspective on the ethical guardrails in place for AI and how they can potentially be circumvented, sparking a thoughtful debate on the ethical use of this technology.

4. AI Sentience: Is AI sentient? This question sparks a fascinating discussion about the nature of sentience and how it applies, or doesn't apply, to AI.

5. AI and the Dark Web: We explore the sinister side of AI with a look at its use on the Dark Web. How is AI being leveraged by those operating outside the law, and what can be done about it?

6. AI for Phishing and Other Nefarious Tasks: We delve into the concerning issue of AI being used for phishing and other malicious activities. What are the implications, and how can we defend against it?

7. AI Pranks: On a lighter note, we discuss some of the more amusing uses of AI, sharing anecdotes about pranks and other humorous applications and even pulling one live on the show on Mr. Porto.

8. Combating AI-Driven Cybersecurity Threats: Joe gives his expert advice on how to go on the offensive against AI-driven cybersecurity threats.

9. Using Failure to Determine Personhood: An intriguing concept is presented - using failure as a way to determine whether an entity is a real person or AI.

10. Future of AI: Finally, we contemplate the future of AI, now that the barrier to entry has been drastically lowered. What's next on the horizon for this rapidly evolving technology?

Tune in to gain some valuable insights into these topics and much more. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a professional in the field, this is an episode you won't want to miss.