This week, Boston’s relentless rain and flooding didn’t deter some of the region’s top security minds from gathering at our Security Innovators Dinner. The turnout was a testament to Boston’s thriving security community—a group as resilient as it is forward-thinking.
Upon arrival, guests were greeted with an intimate and sophisticated setting, featuring a curated menu and a focus on meaningful conversations. The evening was designed to foster real dialogue about the state of security and the transformative potential of AI.
As we gathered at O Ya, insightful discussions revealed key challenges and opportunities shaping the AI/security landscape.
One recurring topic was the confusion surrounding the term “agent” in the AI world versus its meaning in security. As one attendee noted:
“Why are you using agents? I don’t understand why anyone would want to build an AI product that needs to be deployed on any endpoint, and in fact, we have standardized on a policy that we will not deploy any more security agents on our endpoints….my machine already takes 30 seconds to boot!”
This feedback highlights an important reality: terminology can be as much a barrier as technology itself. In security, the term “agent” often evokes concerns about endpoint bloat and resource consumption. However, in AI, the term refers to autonomous decision-making capabilities—software that can act dynamically based on learned patterns.
At 7AI, we are mindful of this distinction and are committed to building a platform that delivers the benefits of AI-driven agents without the downsides of traditional endpoint agents. This means API integrations and a clear understanding of how our technology aligns with the workflows of modern security teams.
Another theme was the transformative potential of AI to go beyond efficiency and unlock new capabilities:
“We know that AI represents an opportunity for us to not only do what we do faster, but to do things we simply can’t do now. For example, when it comes to investigations, we have conceded that we can only realistically investigate a small percentage of the alerts we see. But if we’re able to let AI parse through everything, we can theoretically focus the little time we have on what we know matters.”
This underscores one of the most exciting promises of AI: its ability to tackle previously insurmountable challenges. At 7AI, we’re building our platform to address exactly this need, enabling teams to not only handle the volume of modern threats but also to focus their energy where it matters most.
Finally, there was a shared frustration around the sheer volume of AI claims in the market today:
“The hardest part right now when it comes to AI is understanding what’s real and what’s ‘possible in the future.’ At a time where every vendor says they have AI built-in, I don’t know how to tell what’s real, what’s not, and where I should spend our team’s time to make that distinction—and I don’t have the resources to try everything.”
This feedback is a powerful reminder of the importance of transparency and measurable outcomes in AI. At 7AI, we are focused on delivering real, actionable results. We’re committed to cutting through the noise by demonstrating clear value and providing solutions that solve tangible problems.
Our dinner wasn’t just about sharing ideas; it was about shaping the future of AI-driven security together (and sushi). At 7AI, we believe the only way to create truly transformational change is by partnering with forward-looking security leaders.
Here’s a glimpse of the collaboration and energy from the evening:
From candid feedback on terminology to visionary discussions about AI’s potential, the insights we gathered are invaluable. Events like these are not just moments to celebrate the vibrant security community but opportunities to ensure we’re building a platform that address the real needs of teams on the front lines.
To the Boston security leaders who took time out of their busy schedules (and braved the storm!) to join us: thank you. Your insights and engagement energize us and reaffirm our mission to help organizations navigate the ever-evolving threat landscape with confidence.
Here’s to continuing the conversation and building the future of AI-driven security, together.