An "electric vertical take-off and landing" aircraft built by Joby Aviation flies over an airfield with a helicopter flying nearby in Marina, Calif. on Monday, Oct. 7. AP-Yonhap

PARIS – In a recent security test, a generative AI banking chatbot designed to assist customers with loan applications was manipulated into disclosing sensitive financial information. Testers bypassed security controls and extracted a comprehensive list of loan approvals, including customer names.

This cautionary tale underscores a fundamental issue: generative AI could revolutionize entire industries, but, without robust safety protocols, it can also lead to disastrous outcomes. Traditional safety models are no longer sufficient. Transformative technologies like generative AI demand a new, holistic approach to cybersecurity.

Aviation provides a useful model. Much like supersonic jets, generative AI is a transformative technology with immense potential. But without trained operators, well-designed systems, and robust safeguards, the risk of catastrophic failure is too great to ignore. By adopting rigorous safety protocols, air travel has become one of the safest modes of transportation. Likewise, AI’s potential is undeniable, but its future hinges on addressing safety risks. A recent BCG study, for example, found that three-quarters of business executives view cybersecurity as a major obstacle to scaling AI.

Unlike traditional software, generative AI relies on probabilities, which can lead to unpredictable outcomes. Large language models (LLMs) introduce indeterministic behaviors, creating cybersecurity blind spots. Moreover, their reliance on natural language inputs, adaptive learning, and extensive integrations with other tools and........

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