Chinese Enterprises Enlist AI to Combat Cyber Threats with Robotic Guardians

In an era dominated by the pervasive threat of AI-driven cyberattacks, Chinese enterprises have sharpened their defenses by employing advanced generative AI technologies to safeguard against these sophisticated threats. Qi-Anxin Group, a prominent player in the realm of cybersecurity in China, has unveiled its robust AI model, QAX-GPT, designed to be a formidable ally in the constant battle to maintain network integrity.

Rooted in generative AI, the innovative QAX-GPT model was launched in March and is hailed for its near-human expertise at the intermediate level in cybersecurity. Qi Xiangdong, the chairman of Qi-Anxin, boasts of QAX-GPT's remarkable operational efficiency. This AI-powered sentinel exceeds human capability by handling alarms and judgments with a speed that surpasses manual methods sixtyfold.

In the wake of the buzz created by ChatGPT, the highly publicized AI chatbot by OpenAI, a global race has ensued as technology behemoths and nimble startups alike strive to harvest the potentials of large language models and AI chatbots. However, where there's innovation, there's exploitation. Experts have observed a worrying trend: malicious actors leveraging generative AI tools to craft perilous malware and sophisticated tools for orchestrating cyberattacks.

Nevertheless, this technological sword has two edges. Generative AI is not exclusively a boon to hackers; it also provides unmatched defensive capabilities for network security. Qi-Anxin's survey uncovered a critical pain point: a shortage of dedicated network security personnel, an Achilles' heel that frequently leaves security alarms unacknowledged or improperly managed. Qi expounds that nearly all alarms indicative of cybersecurity threats need the scrutiny of an expert, a scarce resource given the overwhelming volume of such alarms. AI's comprehensive analytical prowess could be the key to turning the tide in network security's favor.

In terms of learning and adaptability, QAX-GPT leaves human experts in the dust. By absorbing vast quantities of cybersecurity-related documents, analysis, and reports, it quickly builds a formidable knowledge base. Zhang Zhuo, Qi-Anxin's vice president, highlights the scarcity of experts, the blunting effects of alarm fatigue, and the ceiling on human efficiency as critical challenges. The large-scale model QAX-GPT could revolutionize cybersecurity by amplifying the reach of expert experience.

China's cybersecurity landscape has been beleaguered by cyberattacks, with over 42 million incidents of malware attacks reported in 2020, according to the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team/Coordination Center of China. Therefore, the advent of AI like QAX-GPT is not just a technological leap; it's a necessary shield in the defense against the digital siege facing the nation.