Mat Hasker, Global Web Director, Get Safe Online
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming our lives, both personally and digitally. Like any new and emerging technology, AI brings a lot of benefits – but also introduces new risks to us and our personal data.
For example, did you know that when you use ChatGPT, your prompts are used to help train its model unless you opt-out or subscribe to a paid plan? Did you also know that Meta AI has reportedly shared users’ questions in public feeds, possibly without those users realising it?
You may have seen images or videos created by AI that look like the real thing. Or perhaps you’ve encountered AI-generated content and didn’t even realise it wasn’t real.
Many of the principles we have followed since the early days of the internet still apply – like strong passwords, oversharing and when to ask for help. But as the digital landscape changes, our awareness of these new threats must change with it. Learn how to protect yourself now with these free tips.
What is AI?
AI has been around for decades, but the term has referred to it in different forms. Traditionally, AI refers to computers making decisions based on a set of programmed rules. For example, AI in computer games has commonly determined how a computer opponent reacts to a player’s decisions. Another example would be online advertising platforms – deciding what adverts to display to a user based on rules and datasets. This form of AI is often described as Rule Based AI.
Today, the term AI typically refers to Generative AI. This form of AI relies on large language models (LLMs) trained with vast amounts of data. It enables computers to generate text, images, video, and more based on natural language prompts. For example, ask an AI image generative tool to create a picture of a dog driving a car in the style of Picasso, and you will get a result in minutes. That’s mine at the top of this page.
A new era of computing
There is little doubt, in my view, that we are entering a new era of computing. Think back to when Windows 3.1 arrived, changing how we operated computers – away from a command line to a user-friendly graphical interface. Or when the internet revolutionised how we accessed and published information. More recently, the arrival of mobile technology allowed us to carry this technology around with us wherever we go. This time, it’s AI.
Today, many experts refer to this as the AI Revolution. Whether or not you agree, each evolution in tech has brought new opportunities – and new risks.
“Confidently giving you the wrong answer”
The conversations I have had regarding AI as part of my work have been mostly positive. I am, however, concerned about a potential overreliance on AI.
One discussion I had was with a university student who is studying electrical engineering. He told me how AI had given him an incorrect answer to a question. When he told AI that it had produced the wrong answer, AI admitted this and agreed that it had got it wrong.
In other words, it confidently gave the user the wrong answer, something I have experienced myself. This proves that AI does not have the answer to absolutely everything – it sometimes gets it wrong, like humans do.
Using AI safely
AI tools can help with almost anything, from recipe ideas to proofreading your writing or debugging code. In many scenarios, I describe it as an advanced search engine that saves you time from having to visit multiple websites to get the answer you want.
However, AI is not fool proof, and privacy concerns remain. Here are some useful tips for you when using AI:
1. Avoid sharing personal information
Never include bank account details, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or any sensitive personal information in your AI prompts. You don’t always know how the data is being stored, used, or shared.
2. Always verify the output
AI can get it wrong, even when it sounds confident. Always check the facts, ask for sources, and do your own research when accuracy matters.
3. Check data-sharing settings
Does your AI tool share your prompts or responses? Review the platform’s settings, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy to understand how your data is used.
4. Use reputable AI tools
There are thousands of AI tools out there. Stick to trusted, well-reviewed platforms to reduce your risk. Some well-known generative AI tools include:
- OpenAI – ChatGPT
- Mistral AI – Le Chat
- Microsoft – Copilot
- Meta – Meta AI
- Google – Gemini
- Adobe – Firefly
- Midjourney – Midjourney
Use AI, but use it safely
We hope you’ve found these tips on using AI safely helpful. Want to test your skills? Try our Spot the AI tool and see if you can tell which content was written by AI.
If you’re a business looking to adopt AI securely and responsibly, our Get Safe Online Partnership Scheme could be just what you need. Contact us today to learn more.
