Equity

The multibillion-dollar AI security problem enterprises can't ignore


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AI agents are supposed to make work easier. Instead, they're creating a whole new category of security nightmares. 

 

As companies deploy AI-powered chatbots, agents, and copilots across their operations, they're facing a new risk: how do you let employees and AI agents use powerful AI tools without accidentally leaking sensitive data, violating compliance rules, or opening the door to prompt-based injections? Witness AI just raised $58 million to find a solution, building what they call "the confidence layer for enterprise AI." 

 

Today on TechCrunch’s Equity podcast, Rebecca Bellan was joined by Barmak Meftah, co-founder and partner at Ballistic Ventures, and Rick Caccia, CEO of Witness AI, to discuss what enterprises are actually worried about, why AI security become an $800 billion to $1.2 trillion market by 2031, and what happens when AI agents start talking to other AI agents without human oversight. 

 

Listen to the full episode to hear:  

  • How enterprises accidentally leak sensitive data through "shadow AI" usage. 

    • What CISOs are actually worried about right now, how the problem has evolved rapidly over 18 months, and what it will look like over the next year. 

      • Why traditional cybersecurity approaches don't work for AI agents. 

        • Real examples of AI agents going rogue, including one that threatened to blackmail an employee. 

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          EquityBy TechCrunch, Rebecca Bellan, Kirsten Korosec, Anthony Ha, Max Zeff, Theresa Loconsolo

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