Artifical Intelligence SIG

Back in the year 2003, I took the Artificial Intelligence module as part of the Computer Science program in NUS. The course project was to program a vacuum-cleaner agent which could take relevant actions upon detecting its location and the dirt level of the surrounding environment. I was excited with how autonomous the agent behaved based on its own experience with the test environment. Little could I imagine then how AI would evolve in the next 20 years. AI has captured the world’s fascination, especially in the last couple of years in how it can raise user productivity, experiences as well as creating new possibilities which was once un-imaginable.

With the rapid development of AI application across sectors recently, there are opposite views on its impact to working professionals. While some argue that AI will significantly enhance working professionals’ productivity and create new job opportunities, others fear it poses a substantial risk by displacing many existing jobs and exacerbating unemployment. Proponents highlight AI’s ability to automate mundane tasks, allowing workers to focus on more complex and creative endeavors. Critics, however, warn that this automation could lead to widespread job losses, particularly in sectors and jobs where tasks are routine and easily replaceable by machines. Despite these concerns, I believe that the future will see AI and humans working collaboratively with AI handling repetitive tasks and humans leveraging their unique skills to drive innovation and growth.

In the cybersecurity domain, we have seen AI quickly being used by both cyber threat actors and defenders. Cyber threat actors are increasingly leveraging AI to enhance the efficiency of their attacks, using sophisticated algorithms to automate tasks such as phishing, vulnerability scanning and malware distribution. These AI driven attacks can adapt and evolve rapidly, making harder to detect and counter. In response, cyber defenders are also employing AI to bolster their defenses, utilizing machine learning and predictive analytics to identify and respond to threats at unprecedented speeds. Cybersecurity professionals are required keep to their knowledge and skills updated with AI enabled productivity to stay relevant to the developing cyber threat and defense landscape

Regardless of your optimistic or pessimistic view on the future of AI, the technology development and its application will continue to grow and significantly impact your work and life. It is important for all of us to stay updated on the technology, to learn to use its applications and shape its development for better outcomes.

In AISP, we started a Special Interest Group with the purpose of creating a platform for AISP members who share interests in AI, to learn from each other and share back the knowledge to the community, for a better, and more secure world where AI would play a significant role. If you would like to join us, do each out to our AISP Secretariat team.

Author Bio

Tam Huynh

Assistant Secretary

AiSP

Tam is a cyber-security advisor with multiple years of experience on advising organisations across industries in Singapore and APAC region on cyber-security matters. Tam is currently an Associate Managing Director with Kroll’s APAC Cyber Risk practice.

Tam holds Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), Certified Blockchain Security Professional (CBSP) and GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE), He gathered several hacking competition awards, reported zero-day vulnerabilities and spoke at various security events in the region.