Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang believes cybersecurity could become the next major use of AI after coding. Speaking at a Goldman Sachs conference on Thursday, Huang said AI will increasingly help companies detect software flaws and protect their systems from cyberattacks. He described cybersecurity as a natural step after AI-powered coding tools, as finding bugs is closely linked to protecting software. Huang also said cybersecurity could become a major business opportunity for the technology industry. Unlike coding assistants that work when users give them a prompt, AI security systems operate continuously.
Huang linked the growth of AI in cybersecurity to the progress being made in coding. He said AI can help developers write software, but it can also identify problems in that software.
“A derivative of coding is, of course, bug finding,” he said, according to Business Insider. “And a derivative of that, which is a very large market, is called cybersecurity.”
The comments come at a time when the use of AI in cybersecurity is becoming a bigger topic in the technology industry. Researchers and AI companies have warned that more capable AI systems could be misused. They could help attackers create more advanced cyberattacks.
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However, Huang’s comments at the conference were focused on the business potential of AI in cybersecurity. He was not directly discussing the wider debate around AI safety or the risks of misuse.
Nvidia is already expanding its presence in the cybersecurity sector. The chipmaker has announced partnerships with companies including CrowdStrike, Cisco and Palantir. The partnerships are focused on developing AI-powered cybersecurity tools.
Nvidia is not the only major AI company looking at the sector. OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar also spoke about cybersecurity at the conference. She described the area as a major commercial opportunity.