We delve into the significant legacy relating to the policy shifts in cybersecurity under President Biden’s administration, focusing on the increased responsibility placed on the private sector and the era of national cyber threats that impacted U.S. Infrastructure.
Welcome to the latest edition of Cyberscan, where we explore the dynamic intersections of AI and cybersecurity shaping the global tech industry. In our first story, we delve into the significant legacy relating to the policy shifts in cybersecurity under President Biden’s administration, focusing on the increased responsibility placed on the private sector and the era of national cyber threats that impacted U.S. Infrastructure.
We also cover Twitter’s quiet activation of a data training feature for its AI, Grok, sparking debates about transparency and data privacy. Additionally, we examine the ethical implications of AI-generated political parodies, Anthropic’s controversial data collection practices, and the inspiring use of AI by Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton to overcome speech challenges. These stories highlight the complex and transformative impact of AI and cybersecurity on our world. Stay tuned for more insights into these critical developments.
President Joe Biden’s tenure has been characterised by a significant transformation in cybersecurity policy, marked by a strategic shift in responsibility from consumers to the private sector. This shift aims to ensure that those who produce and control critical infrastructure and technology bear the brunt of cybersecurity efforts.
Biden’s administration has introduced regulations across 16 critical infrastructure sectors, mandating minimum security standards and encouraging voluntary efforts to bolster cybersecurity. Despite the mixed reception of these changes, with criticisms of both overreach and insufficiency, the direction of these policies is set to persist regardless of the election outcome, as both major political parties acknowledge the necessity of higher security standards.
This policy shift began before Biden’s presidency, driven by the belief that voluntary cybersecurity measures were insufficient. Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology, emphasised that the persistence of basic cyberattacks indicated the need for stronger, mandatory security measures.
The administration's early executive orders leveraged the federal government’s purchasing power to encourage industry improvements. The urgency for more stringent regulations grew following high-profile cyberattacks on Colonial Pipeline and JBS, which exposed vulnerabilities and prompted the implementation of new security directives by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
The regulatory landscape saw further developments with TSA rules for pipelines, air, and rail carriers, alongside the SEC’s disclosure rules for publicly traded companies and FCC protections for internet infrastructure. In 2022, legislation mandated critical infrastructure companies to report major cyberattacks to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
The national security strategy led by the Office of the National Cyber Director outlined the goals, emphasising that the most capable actors must enhance the security and resilience of the digital ecosystem. Jen Easterly, CISA director, underscored the long-term vision of making cyber intrusions and ransomware attacks anomalies through initiatives like "Secure by Design."
Despite the progress, the implementation of these policies faces challenges, including opposition from some industry sectors and legal hurdles such as a Supreme Court ruling affecting regulatory powers. Rep. Andrew Garbarino and others have criticised the complexity and redundancy of incident reporting requirements.
However, officials like National Cyber Director Harry Coker and Anne Neuberger continue to advocate for more comprehensive measures, balancing aggressive but achievable security standards. The administration's efforts to drive market effectiveness while recognizing regulatory needs reflect a major cultural shift in U.S. cybersecurity strategy.
In a surprising move, Twitter has activated a setting by default that allows the platform to use user data to train its AI, Grok. This decision, revealed through a tweet by user EasyBakedOven, has sparked significant backlash due to its quiet implementation.
“Twitter just activated a setting by default for everyone that gives them the right to use your data to train grok,” X user @EasyBakedOven tweeted. “They never announced it.”
Many speculate that Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter was driven by the desire to leverage its vast data troves for AI training. While the move itself may not be unexpected, the manner in which it was rolled out has raised concerns about transparency and data privacy.
The controversy didn't stop there. This week also saw a parody video on X (formerly Twitter) using AI to mimic the voice of likely Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, igniting debates over the ethical implications of AI in elections. While some argue that such content should be illegal, others believe that clearly marked parodies could help the public become more discerning of AI-generated disinformation. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between technological innovation and the need for regulatory frameworks to ensure ethical AI use.
Anthropic, a prominent AI company, has come under fire for its data collection practices. Matt Barry, CEO of Freelancer.com, accused Anthropic of conducting "egregious scraping" after the site received 3.5 million visits from an Anthropic-linked web crawler within four hours. Barry criticised the company for not adhering to internet protocols, which he claims slowed down operations and affected revenue. Anthropic responded by stating it is investigating the issue and aims to respect publishers' requests, emphasising that it does not intend to be intrusive or disruptive. This situation underscores the broader debate over data training practices, which are likely to face legal scrutiny at the highest levels.
In a heartening development, Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, who was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy last year, has turned to AI to help her communicate. The condition has significantly impacted her ability to speak, but through AI, she has created a clone of her voice. Recently, she used this AI-generated voice to address Congress, expressing her hope that it could serve as a voice for Americans facing similar challenges. "I hope I can be a voice, even an AI voice, for Americans facing accessibility challenges and other disabilities," Wexton stated, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in enhancing accessibility and inclusivity.
These stories reflect the complex and multifaceted nature of AI's integration into our society. From controversies surrounding data usage and ethical considerations to AI's promising applications in improving lives, the impact of artificial intelligence continues to shape our world in profound ways. Stay tuned for more updates and insights into the evolving landscape of AI and technology.
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