Panellists during a discussion session at the conference in Doha yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) has launched guidelines for secure adoption and usage of artificial intelligence (AI) and mitigate its potential negative impacts.
The guidelines, a 36-page book in Arabic and English and launched yesterday, are designed around the established triad of people, process, technology, and follows the Al lifecycle.
Speaking to the media at the launch, NCSA President H E Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki said a team of specialists from the agency prepared the guidelines to ensure safe uses of AI technologies in the country.
He said NCSA encourages all parties to use artificial intelligence, innovation and creativity in a safe manner noting that cyber security is considered a support and catalyst for the use of AI technologies in the country.
NCSA President H E Eng Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki (third right) with other officials during a conference on the safe use of AI in Doha yesterday.
“AI can be used in many sectors including education, medical, economic, and other fields, indicating that development in artificial intelligence is progressing very fast,” said Al Malki. The guidelines aim at driving organisations in their journey to adopt and use Al in a safe and secure manner.
So, to put that into perspective Al deployers should have strategic requirements for Al adoption that further drive decision points like why they need Al, how they go about getting the right Al solution, what they need to secure the Al solution, what value they get out of Al solution and related validation and verification that the Al solution is acceptably secure.
The guidelines recommend a list of security best practices for a secure and trusted Al system that organisations can adopt and implement within existing or while building new Al systems. Organisations may use their discretion in choosing practices and controls that best suit their environment.
NCSA yesterday organised a conference on the safe AI use. Addressing the event, Director of National Cyber Governance and Assurance Affairs at NCSA, Eng. Dana Al Abdulla said, “The world is currently witnessing a significant shift in the utilisation of modern and emerging technologies, particularly with the advancements in artificial intelligence, including generative AI, and its growing integration into our daily lives.”
She added, “This transformation has brought forth a set of new challenges, prompting governmental entities to collaborate in proposing effective approaches to address them, while fostering innovation and creativity.”
Al Abdulla explained that NCSA team extensively researched these challenges, and developed comprehensive guidelines which aim to assist organisations in implementing AI safely and effectively while highlighting risks and threats and providing solutions for everyone.
She also highlighted the agency’s dedication to facilitating dialogue, fostering inclusivity and providing a platform for exchanging experiences and insights on the secure utilisation of AI.
Al Abdulla added that through engaging sessions, participants from relevant entities , research institutes , and industry experts delved into key topics, addressing both challenges and opportunities in this field.
She emphasised that cyber security does not hinder digital transformation, but rather is an opportunity to promote secure digital transformation that prioritises the safety and security of both organisational and individual digital infrastructures which requires unified efforts at national, regional and international levels.
During the conference, the utilisation of AI in organisations was discussed.
Director of Cyber Security Strategy and Policy Department at NCSA Eng Abdulrahman Al Shafi discussed key elements included in the guidelines, such as Generative AI, which is widely used in industry, as well as digital trust, including security, privacy, ethics, people, processes, technology, risks, threats, and challenges.
NCSA hosted three sessions featuring experts from various entities and research organisations. The first session explored the governance of AI, highlighting its responsible and ethical use.
The second session delved into the potential threats and risks associated with AI misuse, which can have significant cyber implications for individuals and organisations. Lastly, the third session discussed the role of AI in addressing cyber security challenges, showcasing its ability to provide effective solutions and enhance cyber security measures.
