You may only turn to an AI tool to get an answer to a question or analyze a file; however, a wrong click can provide information to a service that is not very reliable.

The Cybersecurity Council of the UAE warned residents on Friday, August 28, to be cautious when using AI tools found through internet searches. According to this council, some of these services may collect users' personal information without their knowledge.

UAE officials have recommended checking the credibility of the tool before use and seeing what permissions it requests. Especially if an anonymous tool asks you for access to the camera or other device capabilities, do not enable this access without a real need.

However, most importantly, it is better to never upload these three types of information to an AI chatbot:

Banking and financial information: Card numbers, account information, banking passwords, and financial statements should not be provided to AI tools.

Identity documents: Passports, Emirates IDs, driving licenses, and visas contain sensitive information, and unnecessary uploading of them can increase the risk of identity theft. If you need to provide a document for analysis to AI, it is better to remove or hide personal information.

Medical files: Medical reports, test results, prescriptions, and insurance information are also among your most private data. If you seek AI assistance for a better understanding of a report, remove identifiable information such as names, identification numbers, and other identifying details as much as possible.

The UAE's warning is not limited to user privacy. Dr. Mohammed Al-Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, warned in June that the use of AI in cyberattacks is no longer limited to phishing and fake emails.

According to him, attackers use AI to steal and extract information, erase data, and execute more complex attacks; attacks that can now target governments, companies, supply chains, operational infrastructures, and even ordinary users.

He also warned about deepfakes, misinformation, and campaigns to spread fake news; tools that can be used to create fear, confusion, and even panic in society.
Source: Gulf Times