GlobalData, a prominent data and analytics company, reports that the emergence of sophisticated language models like ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transform) has sparked conversations among businesses about the potential dangers linked with generative AI technology. Although some individuals are optimistic that AI-powered products could enhance effectiveness and output, there are concerns among others regarding the implications for cybersecurity, search engine rankings, and profitability.
“Since ChatGPT’s release, cybersecurity professionals have been concerned about the risks related to cybercrimes/threats. Additionally, internet service provider companies believe that ChatGPT might impact their search engine ranking, leading to decreased traffic on their platform,” comments Misa Singh, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData.
According to an evaluation of GlobalData’s Company Filings Analytics Database, the introduction of Generative AI and ChatGPT has led to concerns regarding cybersecurity hazards. In light of this, British-American cybersecurity company Darktrace contends that while ChatGPT does not decrease the obstacles for threat actors, it could have boosted the complexity of phishing emails, giving attackers the ability to create more precise, personalized, and ultimately successful assaults.
Salesforce Inc has highlighted that the advancement of AI technology will necessitate the allocation of resources to build, evaluate and maintain products and services to guarantee that AI is implemented in a manner that minimizes unintentional and detrimental effects. The company is facing uncertainties related to novel and emerging AI applications, specifically those that generate AI-generated content. Such applications may require additional investments in developing exclusive datasets, machine learning models, and testing mechanisms to ensure precision. These procedures are intricate and may be expensive, potentially affecting the profit margin.
Microsoft and Google have already declared their intentions to incorporate these new AI models into their products, causing concern for other firms such as Baidu Inc and Yandex NV. Baidu has stated that its success will hinge on its ability to keep pace with the latest technological advancements and commercialization. Additionally, significant capital investments will be necessary for the research and development of technological improvements and innovative services.
Conversely, Yandex NV perceives this situation as a risk from two angles. The company believes that it requires substantial computing power and expertise to design new language models; otherwise, they may lag behind. Secondly, the shift of search inquiries to new AI-based product formats may require restructuring tools or changing the ability to generate revenue from advertising-based products.
SimilarWeb Ltd argues that the proliferation of ChatGPT could obscure certain aspects of the user’s search behavior, thereby decreasing the volume of digital activity that is accessible for analysis using current data collection methods. Meanwhile, NerdWallet, Inc. warns that the implementation of AI-assisted technologies could affect the significance of search engines, leading to a decline in their ranking and a subsequent impact on financial results if content strategies cannot be adjusted to align with the evolving web search landscape.
“As the technology continues to evolve and integrate into various products, companies must carefully consider the potential risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them,” concluded Singh.
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