Generative AI models are capable of performing a variety of tasks that traditionally require creativity and human understanding. During training, they learn patterns from existing data and can subsequently generate new content such as texts, images, music, and videos that also follow these patterns. Large language models (LLM) represent a subset of generative AI and can be used in many use cases. This includes applications where text is processed and based on that, text outputs are generated, e.g., in the context of the translation, creation, and classification of texts. In addition to opportunities, the use of LLMs poses novel IT security risks and can amplify known IT security threats.

In its current version, the publication provides an overview of the opportunities and risks of LLMs as a subset of generative AI and suggests possible countermeasures to address these risks. Its audience are companies and authorities considering the integration of LLMs in their workflows to create a basic security awareness for these models and to promote their safe use; it can serve as a basis for systematic risk analysis. With the intended exploration of further subfields in generative AI, such as image or video generators, the publication is continuously updated.