Source URL: https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/articles/from-multiplan-to-multimodal-a-cfo-s-40-year-tech-journey-into-ai
Source: CSA
Title: From Multiplan to Multimodal: A CFO’s Journey into AI
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AI Summary and Description: Yes
**Summary:** The text reflects on the author’s journey exploring artificial intelligence, particularly large language models (LLMs), from both personal and professional perspectives. It emphasizes the significance of adapting to AI in industries such as accounting and finance, while also highlighting the potential risks and security concerns associated with using AI tools, especially when handling sensitive data.
**Detailed Description:**
The author, Jeffrey Westcott, discusses his experience with artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs), intending to inspire others to engage with these evolving technologies. His reflections encapsulate several important aspects:
– **Historical Context**: Westcott begins by sharing his nostalgia regarding the advent of the Macintosh, underscoring the technological evolution that led to today’s AI capabilities.
– **Industry Relevance**: He identifies the potential disruptions of AI in the accounting and finance sectors, suggesting that knowledge of these tools will become essential to maintaining a competitive edge. A notable quote from a conference encapsulates this: “You won’t be replaced by AI, but you will be replaced by others possessing a greater knowledge of AI than you.”
– **Personal Exploration**:
– Westcott recounts his initial engagement with LLMs, starting with simple prompts that evolved into professional inquiries regarding contracts and data trends.
– He acknowledges the learning curve associated with mastering these tools, which presents both an opportunity and a challenge for professionals.
– **Tool Utilization**: He details his usage of various AI models, including free and paid versions of ChatGPT, and his exploration of Claude. He notes differences in the functionalities of these tools — where Claude seems better for qualitative prompts while ChatGPT is noted for quantitative tasks.
– **Security Concerns**:
– A critical warning is issued regarding the handling of sensitive data when using AI, especially in ChatGPT. He emphasizes the importance of adjusting data control settings to protect privacy.
– This highlights a vital issue for security and compliance professionals: the need to establish protocols for the secure use of AI tools and to foster an environment of data protection.
– **Future Directions**: Westcott expresses a commitment to continue exploring these technologies and sharing insights on privacy, security, and the nuances between different AI tools. He encourages readers to experiment with prompts and engage actively with AI.
In conclusion, Westcott’s narrative serves as both a personal account and a professional guide, urging others to embrace AI’s transformative potential while remaining vigilant about security concerns inherent to its use. The insights shared are especially relevant for professionals focused on AI, cloud computing security, information security, and compliance regulations.