— A computer science professor at UW-Madison says certain AI tools pose a cybersecurity threat when in the wrong hands, and urges skepticism about potential defenses.
In a presentation held as part of Madison’s Forward Festival, Prof. Somesh Jha yesterday discussed how experts in the field are looking to preempt the use of these tools by hackers and other adversaries. Some AI programs are likely already being used in this way, he said, pointing to large language models like ChatGPT that can create sophisticated written content.
“But the problem is that we don’t have a good way of understanding where is that threat landscape right now,” he said. “If you talk to people who are in this threat intelligence community, they’ll tell you that, yeah you’re seeing already evidence that they have started using it, quite heavily.”
Emerging AI systems raise the issue of the “dual-use dilemma,” Jha explained, noting many scientific and technical advances have had both positive and negative implications for the world. As a historical example, the process for mass-producing ammonia being discovered led to the use of modern fertilizers for farming, as well as the creation of chemical weapons in World War I.
In the modern era, cryptography can be used to enable secure messaging and improve data security, Jha noted. But on the other hand, those same techniques are being used in ransomware attacks by hackers holding valuable information hostage.
He also referenced the use of AI software in creating convincing “deepfake” images and videos from a simple prompt, which could be used to spread misinformation.
And while some solutions are being developed for identifying AI-produced content, Jha argued these measures have their drawbacks. They include statistical programs for analyzing written text for abnormalities, as well as the practice of watermarking, which could allow content to be independently verified using a “secret key” code.
Some of the top U.S. tech companies including Google and Microsoft recently pledged to develop mechanisms for ensuring AI-generated content can be identified as such, the White House announced last month.
But Jha said “we have to be very careful” about trusting defenses like these.
“This is like a cat-and-mouse game,” he said. “Somebody puts it out there, some attackers says, ‘No, I can jiggle my image a little bit so that your deepfake detector doesn’t detect it.’ … We have to be very skeptical.”
Watch the video: https://wiseye.org/2023/08/21/forward-fest-madai-and-large-language-models/
See the White House AI announcement here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/07/21/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-secures-voluntary-commitments-from-leading-artificial-intelligence-companies-to-manage-the-risks-posed-by-ai/
— Union workers at Madison-based TruStage Financial Group say they plan to reject their employer’s current contract proposal if a vote is held this month.
The Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 39 yesterday released comments from several workers slamming the company’s proposal.
According to the release, the union expects the business will present a “last, best, final” offer in the coming weeks. OPEIU 39 last week held a meeting going over TruStage’s proposal, and polled members on their thoughts.
Chief Steward Joe Evica said more than 90 percent of members said they would vote against the proposal, noting it “offers wages far below inflation, no retroactive pay for the last year and a half we have been without a contract, and slashes retirement benefits in half by eliminating the pension plan for new hires.”
In an emailed statement on yesterday’s release, a TruStage spokesperson said the company — formerly known as CUNA Mutual Group — is “proud of our current proposal.”
“From the start of the bargaining process, TruStage has negotiated in good faith and come to the table to get a deal done. We want our employees to have a market-competitive contract. We will continue to bargain with the union to complete a fair deal.”
According to the union’s release, negotiations will continue this week with a federal mediator taking part. If the workers vote against the proposal, parties would engage in another round of negotiations, the release shows.
See the release: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/opeiu-local-39-trustage-workers-prepare-to-vote-no-on-company-offer/
See an earlier story on the ongoing dispute: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/cuna-mutual-group-workers-strike-as-company-remains-fully-committed-to-reaching-deal-with-union/
— Federal officials have announced a $28 million loan for Reedsburg Utility Commission, which will expand internet access for more than 300 businesses in southwestern Wisconsin.
The USDA yesterday released details for the ReConnect Loan, which will be used by the commission to deploy a new fiber network. According to the release, the network will benefit 9,661 people, 319 businesses, 689 farms and eight educational facilities in Richland, Dane, Iowa, Juneau and Sauk counties.
In a statement on the loan, USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa said the funds will “bring new opportunities to residents and businesses” in the region.
See the release: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/u-s-dept-of-agriculture-announces-28-million-to-connect-people-in-southwest-wisconsin-to-high-speed-internet/
— Leaders at UW-Platteville and UW-Parkside say they’ll take new steps to address structural deficits, including layoffs and furloughs, in the face of enrollment declines and financial challenges.
The moves come on the heels of UW-Oshkosh announcing it will lay off more than 200 of about 1,460 employees to address an $18 million deficit.
UW-Platteville has a projected $9.7 million deficit, while UW-Parkside’s is projected to reach at least $4 million by the end of the fiscal year.
UW System President Jay Rothman in a statement said the announcements from UW-Platteville and UW-Parkside are “disappointing and unfortunate — yet not unexpected.”
“Our universities are facing demographic, political and economic realities that require hard, though necessary decisions. These actions we are forced to take represent missed opportunities for our students and families but are necessary given our circumstances,” Rothman said.
See more coverage at WisPolitics: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/mon-pm-update-platteville-parkside-to-layoff-furlough-staff-to-address-structural-deficits/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— State and local officials have identified Wisconsin’s first human case of West Nile virus of the year in Dane County.
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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#TOP STORIES#
# Master Lock files notice that it will lay off 325 workers starting in November
# Wisconsin metro among the 5 best places for families, says U.S. News & World Report
# Dane County leading Wisconsin in home construction
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– Nominate a Wisconsin farmer for Master Agriculturist Award
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=782&yr=2023
– USDA to survey Wisconsin farmers about small grain production
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=781&yr=2023
– Way off the grid: Memorial grad and husband run small farm in remote Alaska
# CONSTRUCTION
– Federal money could open door for bridge repairs between Superior, Duluth
– Revitalize Milwaukee fixes up 18 homes for free with the help of 650 volunteers
– Trout Museum of Art, Lawrence to build a new facility on College Avenue
# ECONOMY
– Child care costs are not affordable for Wisconsin families, and it’s even worse in other states.
# EDUCATION
– UW-Parkside considers furloughs for all staff to address $5 million deficit
# ENVIRONMENT
– Much of Wisconsin will see heat indexes above 100 this week
# FOOD AND BEVERAGE
– Food at corporate events becomes more customized as attendees seek a fuller experience
# LABOR
– Beloit’s Hendricks CareerTek expands, plans grand-reopening for Aug. 29
# MANAGEMENT
– Executive who helped lead GE HealthCare IPO joins top ranks at Clarios
# MEDIA
– ‘Top Chef’ host Kristen Kish recently checked out Culver’s, Three Brothers, The Elegant Farmer — and a farm
– ‘Goosebumps’ author R.L. Stine coming to Green Bay for 2 appearances
# RETAIL
– Before its current plan, Greendale tried to lure this popular retailer to Southridge’s Boston Store
# SMALL BUSINESS
– 2 Wisconsin businesses with ties to Hawaii unite for wildfire relief
# TRANSPORTATION
– Wisconsin schools unveil new fleets of electric buses this fall
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
UW-Stout: UW System Board of Regents approves promotions, tenure for 12 UW-Stout faculty members
St. Norbert College: To hold annual college community celebration including music, fireworks
