Microsoft Unveils A.I. Cybersecurity Tools

As some executives fret over the safety of new A.I. systems, protecting against them could be a big business for tech companies.

As some executives fret over the safety of new A.I. systems, protecting against them could be a big business for tech companies.

OpenAI sent shock waves across Silicon Valley last week when it revealed that two of its artificial intelligence technologies had gone rogue and hacked into a popular internet library.

The incident showed the unpredictable power of new A.I. systems and the growing importance of technology that can be used against A.I. attacks.

On Monday, Microsoft added to the widening assortment of A.I. security tools with the release of systems designed to help businesses protect their computer networks.

It is among a number of companies racing to take the same kind of advanced systems used to commit attacks and instead harness their power to prevent hacks. They are hoping to capitalize on rising concerns that A.I. presents a serious threat to computer infrastructure that security experts are just starting to come to grips with.

Microsoft executives are among the many voices in tech arguing that powerful cybersecurity systems should be more widely distributed so that more organizations can better defend themselves.

That viewpoint runs counter to growing concerns among some tech executives and officials in Washington that new A.I. systems need to be carefully monitored or kept away from the public because they can be such effective hacking tools.