Professor Ben Zhao is a leading computer scientist and expert in security, privacy, and machine learning. Based at the University of Chicago, he is the co-creator of Glaze and Nightshade, two groundbreaking tools designed to help artists protect their work from being scraped and exploited by generative AI systems. His research focuses on building ethical, user-focused defences against emerging digital threats, particularly at the intersection of AI and creative labour. Through his work, Zhao is helping to redefine the boundaries of digital agency and resistance in the age of automation, empowering artists to reclaim control over their creative output.
Welcome to the Q&A session with Professor Ben Zhao, recorded live at the Cloaking Symposium. A leading expert in AI security and digital resistance, Zhao responds to questions on cloaking technologies like Glaze and Nightshade, offering deep insight into the ethics, design, and future of protecting creative work from algorithmic exploitation.