Cybersecurity & AI: The Good, The Bad, and The Scary
Muriel Liu
Okay, if the current AI craze doesn’t make you pause for a second, then I’m not sure what to tell you (I also want to congratulate you). Open AI’s Chat GPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot and it has opened the average person to AI tools and possibilities that they otherwise couldn’t care to know about. This is especially true for cybersecurity-curious individuals as well as professionals.
AI is changing the way we interact with technology and the kind of cybersecurity threats that potentially come with it. Let's talk about it.
The Good
AI has revolutionized and made things easier and more accessible. Virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa are great for hands-free tasks, and AI-powered chatbots are becoming increasingly popular in customer service. AI has also helped with detecting cyber threats, like malicious software (malware) and phishing attacks. Small business owners and freelancers are benefitting from using this technology to automate or cut their time doing tasks that’d otherwise come with a cost. AI can also be an ally in learning cybersecurity - I’m interested to know how this will transform the educational space.
The Bad
With these advancements come new challenges. One of the biggest concerns with AI is the potential for misuse. Hackers can use AI to create phishing emails and social engineering messages, which trick users into giving up sensitive information. AI can also be used to create more sophisticated malware, which can be harder to detect and remove. With new products coming out every day that have Chat GPT integrated, I’m curious to see what security measures are taken to reduce risk to users.
The Scary
The ugly part of all of this comes in layers. Fact-checking is harder and harder to do - especially on social media. Just TikTok alone has shown me the dangers of this. Creators and experts alike can say as they please, and there is little holding them accountable.
One of the more severe cybersecurity issues that can occur with AI is deep fakes. Deepfakes use AI to create realistic-looking videos or images of people saying or doing things they never did. These deep fakes can be used to spread false information or even blackmail people. Why is this such an issue? Because media literacy is at an all-time low - this is a disaster unfolding right before our eyes.
The Future
As AI continues to advance, so must security measures. Cybersecurity experts are exploring new ways to detect and mitigate potential threats, like developing advanced detection algorithms and implementing user education programs to help identify and avoid potential attacks.
Overall, AI has brought many positive changes to our lives, but it's important to be aware of the potential cybersecurity threats that come with it. It's up to all of us to stay vigilant and informed to ensure that AI is used in a responsible and ethical manner.
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