It seems you can’t have a conversation today at an O&P school without at least some mention of artificial intelligence (AI). To deny that AI will be a major influence in O&P documentation and care would be to stick your head in the sand. But because of the seriousness of what we do and the damage that can be done by malicious actors, it is important to do your due diligence. Failure here could destroy your business and your livelihood.
I do not want to create a panic, and I am not saying that we should pooh-pooh AI. But we should go into this with our eyes wide open. The data you collect and store in your course of business is incredibly valuable to malicious actors. Thankfully, you have best practices and security training for your staff that help mitigate the risk of data compromise (I hope).
Today, user action is required for viruses and worms to infect your system. Someone has to click something in order for the virus to “get in” and do its damage. But with generative AI, researchers have demonstrated that worms and viruses no longer need that user action. Security researchers have now created an AI worm that can infiltrate AI models, spread malware, and potentially steal data.
This worm can replicate itself and spread by compromising other machines. And unlike other worms, this one does not need you to click or open an email to receive the malware, it acts automatically the moment you receive the infected email.
Worse yet, EuroNews reports that in a paper released last month, researchers from Singapore and China have shown they could easily gain root access to a large language model’s (LLM) operating system. I don’t think we can talk enough about data security in the O&P field—many tend to be a little lax—but if this doesn’t scare you, you should read up on what can happen to your practice if your patient data is stolen.
Before you leap into AI in your practice, open your eyes to the risk, understand your security, and do your cost-benefit analysis. Being an early adopter in this case may bite you hard.
To read Williamson’s March Sifted column, visit AI in O&P: Friend or Foe?
