The past year has been a game-changer for artificial intelligence (AI), with industries racing to adopt its capabilities to boost productivity and automate complex tasks. In 2024, AI advancements have accelerated faster than ever, setting the stage for even bigger changes in the future. But with great power comes great responsibility—without proper human oversight, AI’s mistakes could be as huge as its successes.
From generating sophisticated content to revolutionizing healthcare, AI is already making waves. For example, AI-powered healthcare tools are outperforming human doctors in some diagnostic tasks, signaling a major shift in how healthcare is delivered. Meanwhile, generative AI is transforming how we create content, and humanoid robots are no longer just science fiction—they’re becoming a reality.
The Rise of Humanoid Robots
Anders Indset, a deep-tech investor, predicts that 2025 will be the year of humanoid agents. “This year started with excitement around large language models (LLMs), but it’s ending with groundbreaking advancements in autonomous humanoid robots,” he said. These robots, once limited to industrial settings, are now closer than ever to becoming part of our daily lives.
Indset believes that humanoid robots will reshape how we interact with technology and expand AI’s applications across various fields. With the rise of robotics-as-a-service (RaaS), advanced robotic solutions will become more accessible to industries, paving the way for a transformative era in robotics.
AI in Cybersecurity and Biosecurity: A Double-Edged Sword
While AI is driving innovation, it’s also raising serious concerns, especially in cybersecurity and biosecurity. Alejandro Rivas-Vasquez from NCC Group warns that AI will make cyberwarfare more dangerous, with potential collateral damage beyond conflict zones due to hyper-connectivity.
On the flip side, AI is also being used to protect people through implantable technologies like neural interfaces and advanced medical implants. However, these innovations come with risks. Bobbie Walker, also from NCC Group, explains that hackers could exploit neural interfaces to control actions or manipulate perceptions, leading to privacy breaches and even cognitive manipulation.
To address these risks, new frameworks for “digital bioethics” and bio-cybersecurity standards will be essential. Walker emphasizes the need to ensure that technology integrated into our bodies is secure, ethical, and protective of individual autonomy.
AI in Disaster Recovery: A Blessing and a Curse
AI is also transforming disaster recovery processes. Sebastian Straub from N2WS explains that AI-powered backup systems can automate data management, reducing the need for human intervention. These systems can learn data usage patterns and compliance requirements, making them proactive experts in disaster recovery.
However, Straub warns that relying too much on AI can lead to mistakes. “In 2025, we’ll see that AI is not a silver bullet. Errors will happen, and humans will need to stay involved in the decision-making process,” he said.
AI’s Impact on Creativity and Education
AI tools like ChatGPT are already helping people improve their communication skills. Eric Wang from Turnitin believes that in the future, AI will shift from creating content for users to enhancing their original ideas. “Writing will be recognized as a critical skill, and AI will help refine and expand human creativity,” he said.
For educators, AI can identify knowledge gaps early and provide transparency to engage students better. Wang sees AI as a tool to enhance learning, not replace it.
Hidden Risks of AI-Powered Models
Despite its benefits, AI also poses hidden risks. Michael Lieberman from Kusari warns that malicious AI models are becoming harder to detect. “We’ve already seen cases where free AI models hosted on platforms turned out to be malware. These attacks are likely to increase, with models containing hidden backdoors or harmful behaviors,” he said.
Lieberman also highlights the risk of data poisoning attacks, where attackers manipulate AI models by feeding them harmful data. Since most organizations rely on pre-trained models, the lack of transparency about their origins makes it easy for attackers to introduce malicious ones.
The Road Ahead: Balancing Innovation and Security
As AI continues to evolve, the challenge will be balancing innovation with security. Attackers are financially motivated and often outpace defenders, who struggle to secure adequate budgets for cybersecurity. It may take a major AI-related breach, similar to the SolarWinds incident, to push the industry to take these threats seriously.
In 2025 and beyond, AI will undoubtedly bring incredible advancements, but it will also require careful oversight to ensure its benefits outweigh its risks. The future of AI is bright, but only if we navigate its challenges wisely.
