The emergence of large language models (LLMs) has ushered in a new era of generative AI tools with unprecedented capabilities. These powerful models, such as ChatGPT and others, possess the ability to make contextual connections in ways that were previously unimaginable. 

While LLMs offer immense potential, there is a pressing need to address the potential risks they pose to society’s collective intellectual property. In this blog post, I will explore how LLM generative AI tools can put intellectual property at risk, and discuss strategies to protect sensitive connections and proprietary information.

The Expansive Contextual Reach of LLM Generative AI Tools

LLM generative AI tools have the remarkable ability to derive and define context based on the questions posed to them and leverage that to create new content. Unlike predefined algorithms, LLMs can make connections to data that go beyond what is explicitly programmed into them. 

While this capacity for contextual understanding enables valuable insights and creativity, it also raises concerns when it comes to safeguarding intellectual property.

The Continuous Training of LLMs

Like all AI technologies, there is a training phase for the LLM where the model is exposed to, in the case of LLMs, massive amounts of data. Most enterprises will likely use one of the existing foundational models and then fine-tune that model with their own specific data. But in the case of LLMs, this is not where it stops. The model will continuously learn through embeddings and user prompts. Any data exposed to this LLM will be retained and potentially used in responding to prompts or questions.

The Risk of Intellectual Property Exposure

If sensitive data was loaded into the model at any point in time during the process above, LLMs, due to their broad contextual reach, can inadvertently reveal such sensitive connections to intellectual property, potentially exposing proprietary information to unintended parties.

The Tricky Art of Exploiting LLMs

LLMs, despite their impressive capabilities, can be tricked into quickly revealing intellectual property and the connections associated with it. By crafting strategic questions or prompts, malicious actors could exploit the LLM’s generative nature, leading to the inadvertent disclosure of proprietary information.

Safeguarding Intellectual Property

To protect sensitive connections and proprietary information, organizations should consider the following strategies:

• Implement robust data classification during the training and fine-tuning processes: Classify and categorize data to identify intellectual property and sensitive information. By clearly marking and tracking such data, it becomes easier to establish protocols and access controls to safeguard it. If such data should not go into the model then redact or remove such data from training data sets.

• Control user input and responses: Define fine-grained controls for how users interact with models and what kinds of questions should be allowed and what responses should be allowed from the LLM based on the user profile and access rights. It might be needed to have a model that contains sensitive data that some users can access, while it needs to be redacted or suppressed for non-authorized users. 

• Promote contextual awareness: Educate users about the risks associated with LLM generative AI tools and the potential for unintentional disclosure. Encourage mindfulness when formulating questions or prompts to avoid revealing sensitive connections or intellectual property inadvertently.

• Continual monitoring and auditing: Implement robust monitoring and auditing mechanisms to track the inputs and outputs of LLM generative AI tools. Regularly review and analyze the generated content to identify any inadvertent disclosures and take immediate action to rectify the situation.

• Develop legal and ethical guidelines: Establish clear policies and guidelines for the use of LLM generative AI tools, highlighting the importance of protecting intellectual property. Ensure employees are well-versed in these guidelines to minimize the risk of unintentional disclosures.

While LLM generative AI tools offer immense potential for innovation and problem-solving, they also introduce unique challenges in protecting society’s collective intellectual property. 

By understanding the risks, implementing appropriate safeguards, and fostering a culture of awareness, organizations can strike a balance between leveraging the power of LLMs and preserving the integrity and confidentiality of intellectual property.