New paper advises executives on using these emerging technologies responsibly
Contact: Victoria Comella
High10 Media
victoria@high10media.com
Washington, DC, September 20, 2023 – The Aspen Institute’s US Cybersecurity Group has developed guidelines that organizations can share with their workforce on how to use openly available generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools responsibly.
Led by Aspen Digital, the nonpartisan US Cybersecurity Group is the leading cross-sector, public-private forum for promoting a secure future for America’s institutions, infrastructure, and individuals – in cyberspace and beyond. Comprising top representatives from government, industry, and civil society dedicated to shaping a safe and secure online environment, this collective of leaders is well-positioned to advise companies on using GenAI technology.
“Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to transform how we interact with technology, and could touch almost every aspect of our personal and professional lives,” said Jeff Greene, Senior Director for Cybersecurity Programs at Aspen Digital. “However, as we explore and innovate, it’s important that we do so responsibly, which means understanding the risks and limitations of these powerful new tools.”
Since its formation in 2017, the US Group has conducted influential work on issues ranging from cyber workforce development to Internet of Things (IoT) security standards, and served as a critical closed-door forum for senior government, administration, and international officials to discuss cyber challenges candidly.
Now, as the use of openly available generative artificial intelligence grows, organizations have struggled with how their employees can and should use it. While AI has been around for decades, the availability to the public of large, general-purpose foundational models is new. This has introduced risks and questions that public and private sector leaders are only beginning to grapple with, let alone answer.
To help add clarity to this rapidly unfolding conversation, the Aspen US Cybersecurity Group convened experts in the summer of 2023 to develop high-level guidance that organizations can provide to their employees on how to use GenAI technology responsibly. These guidelines delve into many of the limitations and associated risks of these emerging technologies, including intellectual property rights, privacy considerations, and bias and discrimination. The guidelines include recommended dos and don’ts to clarify how to conduct queries, training, and compliance as well as guiding principles for risk assessment, governance, and proprietary data.
The guidance is targeted for use with general employee populations and is designed to serve as a baseline for companies to adapt to fit their specific organizational needs. As the Aspen US Cybersecurity Group continues to define further use cases for businesses and operations, they may provide additional guidance.
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ABOUT ASPEN DIGITAL
Aspen Digital is a nonpartisan technology and information-focused organization that brings together thinkers and doers to uncover new ideas and spark policies, processes, and procedures that empower communities and strengthen democracy. This future-focused Aspen Institute program inspires collaboration among diverse voices from industry, government, and civil society to ensure our interconnected world is accessible, safe, and inclusive – both online and off. Across its initiatives, Aspen Digital develops methods for elevating promising solutions and turning thought into networked impact. To learn more, visit aspendigital.org or email aspendigital@aspeninstitute.org.
ABOUT THE ASPEN INSTITUTE
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.