When Phil asked if I’d write a blog about my experience at the recent CyberNorth coffee, cake and
collaboration event, of course I was tempted to use ChatGPT to produce it! It is incredible that I
can input request and be presented with a relevant written document, without typos, in minutes, for
my review. All I would have to do it check it over. Anyone who has ever written anything will know
that the procrastination is real and now ChatGPT can get you started. Of course all it really does is
gather together the known information on a topic and pick out the relevant parts – “copy and paste
on steroids” as Owain Brennan described it on the day. I am an advocate for AI, although I strongly
called for the need to regulate it at a global level. So why wouldn’t I just delegate this task to my
good mate, the latest version of ChatGPT?
Well, artificial intelligence doesn’t know about my personal perspectives of AI, cyber or north
although it may well have heard of my love of cake; it certainly doesn’t know what I think or how I
think it. Currently, it can’t replace that human element. So, this time at least, this blog comes to you
direct from my own weird thought processes.
I had two outcomes in mind when I attended the event.
First, I have that interest in AI. I write about it and I am involved in various groups who are also
interested in it, if not always like minded in approach. I think it will be so good for the world, but we
need to regulate it. Therefore I am always keen to hear more about it at events such as this. I loved
hearing from Owain Brennan about its maritime uses and the learnings from that. Some of the most
interesting points have to stay in the room, sadly, in case of badly motivated actors. There was
plenty of signposting to articles to follow up on which is helpful.
Secondly, I have recently started my business Myfolks. We will be managing personal data and
financial information and I am determined that we protect it to the fullest extent, being wary of the
latest risks and potential sources of attack. It was sobering to hear about the latest scams that use
AI to convince you a loved one is in danger by manipulating their voice, using speech synthesis.
Whilst not directly related to Myfolks, it must be so hard to keep calm and think critically if you are
on the receiving end of such a call so the more we can alert people to the possibility that it could be
a deep-fake, the better.
I got an extra outcome, buy two and get one free, if you like – except of course I didn’t pay anything
to attend the event, it was free on Eventbrite. That element was the collaboration that has
continued to develop, even after the event.
I made a number of contacts with guests and presenters, such as the awesome Dr Hollie Johnson
(See? you can just imagine the potential for that name to produce some interesting results from
ChatGPT if I asked it to write my Cybernorth blog, can’t you? The rest of you, not around in the 80s,
will have to Google it). I also met an officer with the Economic Crime Unit who has subsequently
given me some invaluable tips on how to operate Myfolks to a high standard of safety. I have agreed
with him to share the Economic Crime Unit’s leaflets on big scams to help our elderly customers to
avoid being caught out and it is my privilege to do so.
It is so helpful to be able to share experiences and everyone was very willing to offer input and
collaboration. Thanks, all. I can’t wait to see what comes from the next session.
Louise Thompson – founder of Myfolks