The debate over AI ownership has escalated following Elon Musk’s rejected bid to acquire OpenAI, reigniting concerns over who holds power over the world’s most advanced AI systems. Check Point, a global leader in cybersecurity and the creators of the original firewall in 1993, has been at the forefront of this issue. As AI becomes more embedded in everyday life, Graeme Stewart, Head of UK Public Sector at Check Point, has highlighted the growing security risks—from AI’s weaponisation in cyber warfare to its role in shaping public narratives.
The campaign leveraged Graeme’s expert insights to break down the implications of AI control, positioning Check Point as a key voice in the cybersecurity space while sparking national discussions on AI security, misinformation, and geopolitical influence.
Challenge
- AI as a Cybersecurity Threat: AI is already being weaponised in cyber warfare, enabling large-scale phishing attacks, deepfakes, and misinformation at an unprecedented scale.
- Invisible Influence: AI’s ability to shape public perception is often overlooked, with users unaware of how ownership impacts outputs. Unlike traditional media, AI’s subtle biases go largely unnoticed.
- Geopolitical AI Control: State-influenced AI models, like China’s DeepSeek, already censor politically sensitive topics, demonstrating how AI is being used as a tool of information control.
Key Statistics & Insights
- Cybersecurity Impact: AI-generated phishing emails increase click-through rates by 75%, making cyberattacks more effective than ever.
- AI Manipulation: Studies show that over 60% of users trust AI-generated content, raising concerns about how controlled AI narratives can influence public opinion.
- Check Point Expertise: With 30 years of experience in cybersecurity, Check Point has identified AI-generated threats as one of the biggest challenges for organisations in 2024.
Action
Check Point’s Graeme Stewart provided expert analysis on the implications of AI ownership, highlighting the parallels between AI influence and traditional media control. He engaged in high-profile media discussions, explaining how AI-driven narratives could be manipulated without users’ awareness. The campaign secured media placements across major outlets, with The News Agents podcast featuring Check Point’s insights on AI ownership, cybersecurity, and misinformation risks. It also reinforced the need for AI regulation, urging policymakers to address concerns before control over AI-driven information becomes concentrated in too few hands. The messaging focused on the urgency of transparent AI governance, drawing parallels to historical debates over media ownership.
Results
- Extensive Media Coverage: The campaign secured widespread national and international media attention, reaching key decision-makers and the wider public. Coverage included BBC News Channel, BBC World Service, and The News Agents podcast, alongside mainstream broadcast and online platforms.
- Public & Industry Engagement: The campaign sparked widespread discussion across cybersecurity and AI policy circles, reinforcing Check Point’s leadership in the evolving conversation on AI regulation and security threats. The inclusion of major global platforms like BBC World Service ensured the conversation reached an international audience.
- Shaping the AI Ownership Debate: By drawing attention to the hidden dangers of AI influence, the campaign ensured that AI security became part of a broader conversation about regulation, ethics, and geopolitical control. The high-profile media placements helped drive awareness among policymakers, industry leaders, and the general public.
