mission and inspiration
AI's Rapid Advance and Potential Risks
The field of AI is developing rapidly and at its frontier the fierce competition between the AI development companies is driving the technology to break new limits on a daily basis. With the new tech becoming more and more advanced it's also becoming more powerful, potentially realizing what used to be apocalyptic Sci-Fi scenarios. In the wrong hands, this technology could become a devastating weapon.
A Balancing Act: Security vs. Development Speed
Knowing that with great power comes great responsibility, the AI companies are trying to protect their main assets while still driving the tech forward at full speed. This is an almost conflicting movement since adding layers of security slows down every process. So the balance is not simple and the decision to act in one way or another depends on many factors.
Introducing THE Heron Program: Leveraging Talent for Safer AI
When it comes to AI security the potential for harm on a global scale is immense, but so is the potential for creating a positive impact, by preventing said harms. This realization inspired the creation of the Heron AI Security Program. Our mission is to leverage Israel's exceptional cybersecurity talent to enhance the security of existing and emerging frontier AIsystems, thereby mitigating risks and fostering safer innovation that benefits humanity.
The New Frontier of Cybersecurity: Safeguarding AI's Core Assets
This endeavor is not purely altruistic. Frontier AI presents a thrilling new world of challenges and opportunities for cybersecurity. The distributed nature of AI creates a new paradigm: the "crown jewels" (AKA the model weights and other algorithmic secrets) now have countless emissaries on countless devices. This shift opens up novel attack surfaces, from model extraction attempts to adversarial manipulation of local inferences. Moreover, AI's breakneck evolution ensures a relentlessly dynamic security landscape, demanding unprecedented agility and innovation in defensive strategies.
Heron Program Launches in Tel Aviv
This is the landscape we at the Heron AI Security Program wish to introduce to cybersecurity experts, with the goal of making an impact both personally and globally. Our upcoming cohort will be taking place in Tel Aviv.
ABOUT US
Heron is an initiative launched by Effective Altruism Israel, a non-profit organization operating independently in Israel. The organization collaborates with the worldwide Effective Altruism network and partners with key figures in Israel's social and corporate sectors. We aim to support Israelis in enhancing the impact of their social contributions and philanthropic endeavors.