OpenAI, which surpassed 500 million subscribers with its new image transformation feature, is drawing attention for its first investment in a cybersecurity startup. Recently, users have been utilizing ChatGPT's "ImageGen" feature to transform personal photos into specific artistic styles, such as those from Japan's "Ghibli Studio," for use as profile pictures. As the AI business market rapidly expands, the demand for cybersecurity, which is a necessary requirement for businesses, is expected to increase. Big tech companies are actively working to enhance their cybersecurity infrastructure through investments and mergers and acquisitions.
According to the technology media TechCrunch on the 4th (local time), OpenAI participated as a co-investor in the Series A round of the cybersecurity startup Adaptive Security, based in New York. The well-known Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz also participated in this investment. It is reported that a total of $43 million (approximately 61.8 billion won) was raised, marking OpenAI's first investment in a cybersecurity startup.
Adaptive Security provides a service that trains employees to recognize threats by implementing "hacking scenarios" with generative AI. For example, Adaptive Security creates a spoof using the voice of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to train employees in differentiation. According to TechCrunch, Adaptive Security can identify vulnerabilities in companies and prevent hacking by implementing not only phone calls but also text messages and emails.
As the AI model market rapidly grows, global big tech companies are actively investing in cybersecurity startups. Recently, concerns have arisen that ChatGPT's new image transformation feature, "ImageGen," could be used to create deepfake images or manipulate receipts. Additionally, the cloud, which is essential for AI business, stores customer data, posing a risk of personal information theft if hacked. Market research firm Market and Markets projects that the global cybersecurity market size will grow from $190.4 billion (approximately 264.84 trillion won) in 2023 to $298.5 billion (approximately 415.2 trillion won) by 2028.
It appears that OpenAI made this investment as the number of ChatGPT users has increased. Since the launch of the "ImageGen" feature last week, there has been a surge in subscribers wanting to use this feature. According to OpenAI, the number of ChatGPT subscribers surpassed 500 million as of the end of last month. This comes just 2 years and 4 months after ChatGPT was first released in November 2022, and it has increased by more than 30% in just three months from 350 million at the end of last year. It has surpassed half of OpenAI's goal of 1 billion by the end of this year.
On the 18th of last month (local time), Google signed an acquisition agreement with the cybersecurity startup Wiz for $32 billion (approximately 46.8 trillion won). In 2022, Google also acquired the cybersecurity firms Mandiant ($5.4 billion) and Simplify ($500 million). IBM similarly acquired the cybersecurity company Randori in the same year. Microsoft acquired the cloud access management platform CloudKnox Security and the threat intelligence provider ReaQta in 2021.