03 Tech Trend

Consumers and companies will face increased risks from AI-generated disinformation, scams, and fraud, prompting cooperation to strengthen cybersecurity and digital literacy

In 2024, the increasing role of AI in disinformation campaigns, scams, and fraud will be a growing threat to the integrity of companies, non-profits, even candidates and elections. According to Cisco’s 2023 Cyber Readiness Index, only 15% of respondents are resilient enough to respond to a cybersecurity threat. Tech companies will make significant progress in developing inclusive new AI solutions that guard against cloned voices, deepfakes, and videos, as well as social media bots and influence campaigns. More companies will invest in technologies that detect and mitigate risks, and AI models will be trained on large datasets to improve their accuracy and effectiveness. We will see advancements in platforms and tools that promote transparency and accountability in AI-generated content including mechanisms for content authentication and provenance.

We will also see more collaboration between tech companies and governments to raise awareness of AI-enabled threats and implement verification mechanisms and cybersecurity measures in keeping with the G7 Guiding Principles on AI regarding threats to democratic values, as well as the Biden administration’s Safe AI Executive Order and the EU’s draft AI Act. Governments will continue to sanction those responsible for digital disinformation, working closely with tech companies to ensure regulatory compliance. Organizations should prioritize protecting data from unauthorized access, tampering, or manipulation including investment in threat detection systems, regular vulnerability assessments, updating security systems, and thorough audits of network infrastructures. Consumers need to be vigilant in identifying and preventing scams that target our identities, savings, and credit.

Investments in advanced technologies and algorithms that can detect and mitigate the risks associated with malicious AI-generated content will be crucial in 2024. As the use of generative AI tools becomes more widespread, we will face a perfect storm of misinformation. This will require a coordinated effort by governments and the private sector working together with the tech industry leading the way.

Jeff Campbell, SVP and Chief Government Strategy Officer