EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to rapidly advance, the risks posed by malicious exploitation or the misuse of AI systems looms large. For cyber security leaders, getting ahead of AI-based risks has become mission-critical. No one wants to contend with a potentially disastrous situation involving AI.
Whether it’s preventing the misuse of generative AI models, like ChatGPT, defending against adversarial machine learning attacks or understanding how to leverage AI-based cyber security tools, cyber security professionals should make AI literacy a top priority.
One of the best ways to build knowledge? Read AI books written by top experts in the field. In this article, discover eight essential AI books that should be on the reading list of any cyber security professional who aims to prevent a 7-figure AI disaster.
8 must-read AI books
1. The Alignment Problem, by Brian Christian. In this award-winning, captivating and clear treatise, the author unpacks the immense challenge that is ensuring alignment between advanced AI systems and human ethics. Mike Krieger, cofounder of Instagram, says “This is the book on artificial intelligence we need right now.”
2. You Look Like a Thing and I Love You, by Janelle Shane. This book came out in 2019, before the release of now ubiquitous chatbots. However, it’s a smart and funny introduction to how AI works and how to get the most out of AI. If you’re looking for an easy on-ramp into the subject, this is it.
The author also maintains a blog on AI Weirdness, which may be of interest to the time-constrained.
3. Top Questions That CISOs Should be Asking About AI (and Answers), by CyberTalk.org. Although this is an eBook, we found it worth including, as it provides evidence-backed strategies and tactics for elevating your organization’s use of AI (and ensuring its security). Download here.
4. Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity, as edited by Mark Stamp, Corrado Aaron Visaggio, Francesco Mercaldo and Fabio Di Troia. This technical manual describes how AI techniques can be applied to enhance anomaly detection, threat intelligence and adversarial machine learning capabilities.
5. Hands-on Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity, by Alessandro Parisi. In this handbook, you’ll see how you can infuse AI capabilities into smart cyber security mechanisms. After reading, you will be able to establish a strong cyber security posture, using AI.
6. AI for Defense and Intelligence, by Dr. Patrick T. Biltgen. This book tackles scaling AI in the cloud, customizing AI for unique mission applications and the issues endemic to the defense and intelligence sector. Given the government agency focus, the piece is perfect for those who support national security.
7. Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, by Swedish-American physicist Max Tegmark. This book prompts readers to immerse themselves in the most important conversations of our times. Readers tend to find this piece both engaging and empowering.
8. AI, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, edited by Fei Hu, and Xiali Hei. Since the aforementioned concepts are all somewhat new to those in the cyber security field, this book aims to provide a comprehensive picture of challenges and solutions that professionals face today. Explore how to overcome AI attacks with AI-based tools.
Further thoughts
Build policies and programs to mitigate AI-based threats before they potentially cause a 7-figure – or even larger – disaster.
In cyber security, knowledge is a powerful line of defense. Equip yourself with new knowledge (via these essential AI books) as you work to protect your organization from AI risks.
For more insights into AI books and other cyber security must-reads, please see CyberTalk.org’s past coverage. Lastly, subscribe to the CyberTalk.org newsletter for timely insights, cutting-edge analyses and more, delivered straight to your inbox each week.
