CS Mar-Apr 2024

artificial intelligence
stratosphere in recent times, 2024 might see
a pause.
GenAI faces a sobering reality check, as
the actual costs, risks and complexities
overshadow the hype of 2023. The immense
enthusiasm surrounding generative AI might
have been overstated and significant hurdles
must be overcome to successfully bring it to
market. Added to this, there is a growing
anti-AI movement raising concerns about
the technology's pervasive implementation
that is raising societal and ethical questions.
CHATBOTS AND LLM MODELS
As ChatGPT-5 approaches, we anticipate
swift advancements in AI-driven chatbots.
There is a surge of software companies
actively developing their own Large Language
Model (LLM), with the aim of enabling
computers to emulate human language and
provide solutions to queries in a more
'human-like' manner. For example, Google's
Bard is another popular and free-to-use AI
chatbot relying on Google's search engine
data. Also, Microsoft's Bing Chat is free to use
and relies on the latest GPT 4 model. Be on
the lookout for the launch of Grok, X's (ex-
Twitter) latest AI product set to release in
2024.
Moreover, with Meta's beta release of a new
AI experience integrated into their suite of
apps (WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook),
users can engage in conversations with AI
versions of celebrities like Snoop Dogg and
Kendall Jenner.
DEMAND FOR AI SPECIALISTS
As AI continues to impact various industries,
the need for skilled professionals who can
develop, maintain and advance AI technologies
becomes increasingly evident. Prompt
engineers and technicians play a vital role in
getting the algorithms to do what they are
required to do, ensuring their functionality
and efficiency. It takes skill to be able to
specify what you precisely require of AI tools
to enjoy the far-reaching benefits of this
technology. Trainers contribute by refining
AI models and teaching them to recognise
patterns or respond to specific inputs.
Additionally, ethicists play a crucial role in
navigating the ethical considerations associated
with AI development and deployment,
ensuring that these technologies align with
societal values and standards.
VOICE- AND LANGUAGE-
DRIVEN INTELLIGENCE
The voice and speech recognition market is
expected to hit $49.7 billion by 2029. The
remote working revolution created a surge
in smart speaker usage in homes and voice
solutions aimed at improving business
processes (ie, voice in meetings and voice
for business intelligence) will take centre
stage in 2023.
Voice assistants will increasingly be tailored
to specific business challenges and integrated
with internal systems, such as CRM and
business processes.
AI ETHICS AND LEGISLATION
As private companies power AI's advancements,
the lack of governmental oversight
has pushed the debate over the ethics of
responsible AI to the fore. In 2024, we will
likely see continued initiatives from global AI
partnerships on how to leverage AI to battle
against major global issues, such as climate
change, and inclusion and diversity.
Ethics will continue to play a major part in
the stimulation of innovation and economic
growth as more organisations realise the
need for responsible tech. Fairness of
algorithms and data transparency are issues
that will need to be addressed this year as
AI adoption is more widespread than ever.
In 2024, we will continue to see the
evolution of AI regulation and legislation
across the globe. From China's recent laws
regarding non-consensual deepfakes to
the UK's explosive proposed bill in 2024,
including the EU's proactive steps towards
settling on an AI act by 2025, it seems that
governing bodies aim to make 2024 a year
to get a handle on AI regulation.
GENERATIVE VIDEO TO
SET THE SCENE IN 2024
While the hype around GenAI might drop in
the coming months, the reality is that this
technology will continue to usher in a new
era of content generation and creativity. The
use of generative videos by content creators,
businesses and the general public will become
more evident - simply because it has never
been easier to create videos.
With generative video tools such as
Runway's Gen-2, Zeroscope, Midjourney
and others, anyone will be able to produce
professional-looking video content for a
fraction of the price in 2024.
Adobe Firefly's new video editing feature
generative fill allows you to pretty much
generate anything from nothing - from
turning a frown into a smile or changing the
item someone is holding, the capabilities of
video generation software will continue to
amaze us in 2024.
AI-POWERED CYBERSECURITY
As AI technology evolves, so do the tools
cybercriminals use to conduct nefarious
activity, leading businesses to level up their
cybersecurity game. In a world where data
is more valuable than oil and compliance is
the gateway to digital growth and customer
trust, 2024 will be the year where AIpowered
cybersecurity will be tested the
most. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are using
AI technology to bypass conventional IT
security systems to infiltrate systems housing
sensitive company and personal data.
But AI also helps in the fight against cyber
threats and this year we predict more
organisations placing more money into
securing their data through the use of
sophisticated cybersecurity technologies.
www.computingsecurity.co.uk @CSMagAndAwards March/April 2024 computing security
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