X31A060 | Computer Science

So will today's AI do what we ask it to do? It will if it can, but it might not do what we actually want. So let's say that you were trying to get an AI to take this collection of robot parts and assemble them into some kind of robot to get from Point A to Point B.

Now, if you were going to try and solve this problem by writing a traditional-style computer program, you would give the program step-by-step instructions on how to take these parts, how to assemble them into a robot with legs then how to use those legs to walk to Point B. But when you're using AI to solve the problem, it goes differently. You don't tell it how to solve the problem, you just give it the goal, and it has to figure out for itself via trial and error how to reach that goal. And it turns out that the way the AI tends to solve this particular problem is by doing this: it assembles itself into a tower and then falls over and lands at Point B. And technically, this solves the problem. Technically it got to Point B.

There are lots of lists of different things that you could do with ChatGPT out there. A lot of them deal with things like building a resume, making a cover letter, practicing for an interview. It makes you wonder if a lot of people writing about ChatGPT are looking for jobs. Here are some other ideas that will be useful or entertaining to just about anyone.

So first, of course, ChatGPT is a website. You go to Chat.openAI.com. You don'f need any app or anything special like that. It just works with any browser. Signup for a free account and then you can just talk to ChatGPT. So first you can use ChatGPT as a great brainstorming tool. You can use it to brainstorm ideas for work, or your personal life. For instance, if you're looking for a gift for someone you can tell ChatGPT about that person and then have it suggest ideas. After describing the person you'll get a list of different suggestions. Remember the idea here is to chat, not just to throw a question out and get an answer. So if you don't get something you like at first just keep chatting.

Today, I'm going to talk about a shameful topic. This has happened to many of us, and it's embarrassing, but if we don't talk about it, nothing will ever change. It's about being hacked. Some of us have clicked on a phishing link and downloaded a computer virus. Some of us have had our identities stolen. And those of us who are software developers might have written insecure code with security bugs in it without realizing it.

As a cybersecurity expert, I have worked with countless companies on improving their cybersecurity. Cybersecurity experts like me have advised companies on good cybersecurity practices, monitoring tools and proper user behaviors. But I actually see a much bigger problem that no tool can fix: the shame associated with the mistakes that we make. We like to think of ourselves as competent and tech savvy, and when we make these mistakes that can have a really bad impact on us and our companies —anything from a simple annoyance, to taking a lot of time to fix, to costing us and our employers a lot of money.

Despite billions of dollars that companies spend on cybersecurity, practitioners like me see the same problems over and over again. Let me give you some examples. The 2015 hack of Ukrainian utilities that disconnected power for 225,000 customers and took months to restore back to full operations started with a phishing link. By the way, 225,000 customers is a lot more 225,000 people. Customers can be anything from an apartment building to an industrial facility to a shopping mall.