Hiding in Plain Sight: Prompt Injection Attacks Are a New AI Threat

Artificial intelligence is a massive productivity driver for every business category, including for law firms. 

 

Of course, as with any new technology, AI does not come without risks. 

 

That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use AI in your law practice.  As an attorney, your obligation is not to eliminate risk, but to take reasonable precautions against it.  The first step in that process is understanding which credible threats exist around the use of AI. 

 

Unfortunately, there is a new one you should be aware of: prompt injection attacks. 



Prompt injections are, in essence, commands hidden in AI data inputs.  The AI tool will follow embedded commands, as well as direct user inputs, because it does not effectively differentiate between the two. 

 

Now, users can inject prompts on their own – some do so to try to ‘jailbreak’ AI products – but, what business owners are more concerned about would be prompt injection attacks (including where the prompt is hidden in external data); although, it is possible that your own employees could attempt prompt injection for nefarious purposes. 

 

This is a multifaceted issue, with lots of layers; and, governance around this problem is still being formulated – but, you can read an excellent summary of what this all means, as well as suggestions on prevention, at this robust article. 

 

. . . 

 

If you want to talk further about AI governance in your law practice, just reach out!

Through a unique partnership between the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar and Jared Correia’s Red Cave Law Firm Consulting, Maine attorneys have access to experienced law practice management consultants at a special discounted rate. 

To get started, visit Red Cave’s landing page for Maine attorneys, and start running your law practice like a business.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Perfect Timing: New Calendaring Tools Make It Easy to Connect with Leads and Clients

Image
Lawyers tend to be inefficient, and have difficulty engaging both leads and clients.  These hurdles are apparent when it comes to the scheduling process.  Attorneys and staff onboard leads for meetings, and schedule appointments with existing clients, via strings of emails -- and, delayed response s only extend the conversation, and the time frame.  And, while this is detrimental for client s (who demand speed and convenience), it’s even worse for leads, who may never convert, if they’re not onboarded simply, and easily.   The good news is that modern technology tools allow for scheduling without the intervention of humans, including you and your staff.  That means that you can say goodbye to all those extra emails, and wasted time.  Programs like Calendly and Acuity allow clients to book appointments directly onto a law firm or lawyer’s calendar, and include buffers and controls, so users aren’t overwhelmed.  LawTap offers a similar tool focu...
Read more

Get That Bag: How to Build a Collection Process for Your Law Firm

Image
Law firm account s receivable can be gnarly, sometimes extending into the six figures .     Now, there are a couple of responses to that .  The preferred option is to eliminate accounts receivable altogether, which can be done using epayment options, and potentially evergreen retainers combined with stop work order s .   Of course, you may not ever get to 100% collection rates – that’s a tall order – and, you may have some accounts receivable to deal with already .  And so, you’ll need to establish a collection process – and, that should flow from your engagement agreement.     The components relating to money that you need in your engagement agreement, aside from your rate(s) and/or basis of your rates, would be: An escalating series of penalties for non-payment .  An arbitration clause, potentially including access to a state bar’s fee arbitration board .  That stop work order .  This will allow you to put pressure on non-pay...
Read more

The Difference: The Demands of Content Marketing Require Creativity

Image
‘ The Simpsons ’ has a long-running ‘ couch gag ’ at the end of its opening credits, in which the Simpsons family attempts to squeeze onto their small couch together .   They never quite get it right – and, hilarity ensues .  But, it’s certainly a difficult thing to pull off = to set up the same joke each week, and to try to create a new and different punchline .  Especially considering that ‘The Simpsons’ have been doing it for 34 seasons of television .  Of course, viewed another way, it’s an interesting challenge, to attempt to conquer.   This is not dissimilar to what lawyers need to do to establish an effective content marketing program .  Lawyers need to present as experts to potential clients and referral sources; and, there are a number of things you can talk about, in terms of your expertise – but, not an infinite number of things.  So, it becomes pretty similar to The Simpsons’ couch gag, in the sense that you have to find new and...
Read more