Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
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** May 30, 2024
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Securing AI Model Weights
Protecting advanced AI models from theft and misuse is becoming increasingly important. One key aspect of safeguarding these models is securing AI model weights--the numeric variables that encode the core intelligence of an AI, representing everything a model has learned.
A new RAND report looks at how AI model weights can be protected against a variety of potential malicious attackers, from opportunistic criminals to highly resourced nation-state operations. The study also identifies dozens of methods of attack, ranging from more mundane threats, such as basic social engineering schemes, to more severe measures, such as a military takeover.
The authors highlight actions that AI organizations can take right away to help prepare for such threats, including reducing the number of people authorized to access AI model weights, implementing insider threat programs, and engaging in third-party red-team exercises to simulate relevant threat actors.
These insights provide a first-of-its-kind playbook to help AI companies defend against the most-sophisticated kinds of attacks. The findings may also help facilitate meaningful engagement between policymakers, AI developers, and other stakeholders as they work to understand the broader impacts of AI security.
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** More on This Research
In this Q&A, the study's lead author, Sella Nevo, discusses how AI models work, why securing AI model weights and systems is important, and more details on the research team's key findings: [link removed]
Can Europe Prevent an Opioids Crisis?
Fentanyl and other potent, illegally manufactured synthetic opioids have ravaged North America. As the use of synthetics in Europe increases, how can leaders there prevent a similar crisis from unfolding? In a new RAND Europe paper, researchers emphasize that proactive actions are crucial. These might include wastewater surveillance to monitor consumption of illegal opioids, updating overdose-response protocols to adjust for synthetic opioids' greater potency, and strengthening prevention programs. "By acting in advance and thinking about the problem as a 'poisoning crisis,'" the authors conclude, "Europe has a priceless opportunity to prepare and implement a sensible response."
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Putin Shakes Up Russia’s Military Leadership (Again)
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was the latest senior military official to be relieved of his position by Vladimir Putin. Why would Putin oust a longtime loyalist with deep roots in the Russian military establishment? "Apparently," says RAND's Hunter Stoll, "no amount of loyalty or experience can assuage Putin if the desired battlefield outcomes are not being delivered." But regardless of the reasons for Shoigu's removal, this shake-up will likely lead to changes in Moscow's approach to its war in Ukraine.
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** RAND Recommends
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- In the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, RAND's Aimee Curtright writes about the benefits of investing in "circular" economic development projects.
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- The availability of cheaper autonomous systems is upsetting the balance of power in warfare, RAND's Daniel Gerstein told Wired. "Drones are here, and we've got to do something about them," he said.
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- RAND's Bruce Bennett explains what it would take for the United States to be able to simultaneously defend South Korea and Taiwan.
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** Discover the Stories Behind the Research
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What could help health care providers in low- and middle-income countries prevent deaths from childhood diarrhea? When AI gets it wrong, will it be held accountable? Which threats to the financial system should we be paying closer attention to?
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