AI – Handle with care

I still shudder when I think of the hapless team of Software Developers at Samsung who inadvertently exposed Samsung source code and confidential meeting minutes on 3 separate occasions to ChatGPT, checking for errors and asking for it to be optimised. This is now out there forever and cannot be undone.

Here is an elite team, working for one of the biggest tech brands on the planet. These guys are at the top of their game, and yet even they fell afoul of the hazards and complexity of AI. But who can blame them for trying? AI offers the potential to streamline processes, remove arduous tasks and deliver results and solutions instantly instead of in weeks or months.

Closer to home, a client recently asked us to check the accuracy of some information needed for a business-critical verification process. I looked up the relevant documentation, but a colleague gave me a well-worded answer before the pages even loaded. I was impressed and asked how they had done that. I was told the answer had come from ChatGPT.

Upon closer examination, we found that the answer was correct but needed additional information to be complete. The ramifications of blindly going with the ChatGPT output would have been problematic.

After narrowly avoiding a situation that could have caused the business a serious problem, we have implemented measures to ensure that all our employees, regardless of their level, are well-informed about AI and its usefulness, limitations, biases, and the precautions we take to safeguard our business and customers.

Given the opportunities to increase productivity, efficiency and efficacy, Samsung’s team and my own colleague are by no means the only ones turning to AI: Research published by Economist Intelligence on June 23 found that 27% of EU companies are already doing so.

This is despite the ongoing drumbeat of hysteria and caution from the world of politics, technology and business surrounding the technology:

“It’s the end of work as we know it.”
“It’s going to change the meaning of life for everyone.”
“It could lead to the end of the world.”

…All predictions reported by the press, made by world leaders and tech experts following Rishi Sunak’s recent AI summit in Bletchley Park. In addition to these existential threats, what is very clear is that AI is already here, the genie is out of the bottle and the regulators, lawyers and politicians are playing catch up.

AI is full of potential but also extremely hazardous and has its limitations. Software development, for example, can be accelerated, and teams can become significantly more productive with AI, but the results it generates need to be verified. The output might be inaccurate or may also contain hidden, malicious code, for example. It’s far from perfect, and for the foreseeable future, human involvement will be needed. But it is here, and teams need to have access to skills and talent and critical analysis that can help maximise its benefits and mitigate its risks.

A big challenge that most firms are facing is being able to access talent that have experience in AI. The technology is moving so fast, regulations are being shaped in flight, and malicious movers are potentially one step ahead of those figuring out how to safeguard the world from hazards. The complexity is not just identifying, evaluating, and attracting this talent but also ensuring that those you bring into the company are also connected to the outside world so that they can continue to bring fresh knowledge into the company.

Ten10 offers consultants who have understand the power and effectiveness of using AI in the appropriate way. They are working with our clients to identify opportunities where AI can help to drive innovation and productivity.

Our Ten10 Academy is providing junior talent to work in AI/ML teams, building their apps and models and generating useful insights for the business. Given the pace of evolution in AI, one of the benefits our clients enjoy is that our consultants remain fully supported by Ten10, meaning that their knowledge and expertise remain up to date, keeping them ahead of competitors and out of the headlines.