Exploring AI's Evolution: From Chatbots to Autonomous Agents

This chapter explores the evolving applications of AI in content creation, marketing, and development, focusing on chatbots, co-pilots, and autonomous agents. It highlights the distinct roles of these technologies and their implications for enhancing productivity and task management with varying levels of human interaction.

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Guest: Steve Wilson, Chief Product Officer, Exabeam [@exabeam] & Project Lead, OWASP Top 10 for Larage Language Model Applications [@owasp]

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilsonsd/

On Twitter | https://x.com/virtualsteve

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Host: Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber]

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin

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Episode Notes

In this episode of Redefining CyberSecurity, host Sean Martin sat down with Steve Wilson, chief product officer at Exabeam, to discuss the critical topic of secure AI development. The conversation revolved around the nuances of developing and deploying large language models (LLMs) in the field of cybersecurity.

Steve Wilson's expertise lies at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, a point he emphasized while sharing his journey from founding the Top 10 group for large language models to authoring his new book, "The Developer's Playbook for Large Language Model Security." In this insightful discussion, Wilson and Martin explore the roles of developers and product managers in ensuring the safety and security of AI systems.

One of the key themes in the conversation is the categorization of AI applications into chatbots, co-pilots, and autonomous agents. Wilson explains that while chatbots are open-ended, interacting with users on various topics, co-pilots focus on enhancing productivity within specific domains by interacting with user data. Autonomous agents are more independent, executing tasks with minimal human intervention.

Wilson brings attention to the concept of overreliance on AI models and the associated risks. Highlighting that large language models can hallucinate or produce unreliable outputs, he stresses the importance of designing systems that account for these limitations. Product managers play a crucial role here, ensuring that AI applications are built to mitigate risks and communicate their reliability to users effectively.

The discussion also touches on the importance of security guardrails and continuous monitoring. Wilson introduces the idea of using tools akin to web app firewalls (WAF) or runtime application self-protection (RASP) to keep AI models within safe operational parameters. He mentions frameworks like Nvidia's open-source project, Nemo Guardrails, which aid developers in implementing these defenses.

Moreover, the conversation highlights the significance of testing and evaluation in AI development. Wilson parallels the education and evaluation of LLMs to training and testing a human-like system, underscoring that traditional unit tests may not suffice. Instead, flexible test cases and advanced evaluation tools are necessary. Another critical aspect Wilson discusses is the need for red teaming in AI security. By rigorously testing AI systems and exploring their vulnerabilities, organizations can better prepare for real-world threats. This proactive approach is essential for maintaining robust AI applications.

Finally, Wilson shares insights from his book, including the Responsible AI Software Engineering (RAISE) framework. This comprehensive guide offers developers and product managers practical steps to integrate secure AI practices into their workflows. With an emphasis on continuous improvement and risk management, the RAISE framework serves as a valuable resource for anyone involved in AI development.

About the Book

Large language models (LLMs) are not just shaping the trajectory of AI, they're also unveiling a new era of security challenges. This practical book takes you straight to the heart of these threats. Author Steve Wilson, chief product officer at Exabeam, focuses exclusively on LLMs, eschewing generalized AI security to delve into the unique characteristics and vulnerabilities inherent in these models.

Complete with collective wisdom gained from the creation of the OWASP Top 10 for LLMs list—a feat accomplished by more than 400 industry experts—this guide delivers real-world guidance and practical strategies to help developers and security teams grapple with the realities of LLM applications. Whether you're architecting a new application or adding AI features to an existing one, this book is your go-to resource for mastering the security landscape of the next frontier in AI.

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