AI in Cybersecurity: Risks and Rewards [Video]

In 2023, cybersecurity researchers developed a proof of concept (PoC) for an AI-generated polymorphic malware called “BlackMamba.” BlackMamba exploits a large language model (LLM) to return malicious code that can steal a user’s device keystrokes. However, BlackMamba can continuously evolve to evade detection by cybersecurity tools, raising concerns about its potential to cause large-scale and long-term havoc.

BlackMamba demonstrates how cybercriminals can potentially weaponize AI to carry out sophisticated, undetectable, and large-scale cyberattacks. Even organizations leading AI development acknowledge the potential misuse of their solutions. For example, Microsoft has admitted that some threat actors are using their generative AI technologies and those of their partner OpenAI to organize offensive cyber operations.

However, here is the good news about AI in cybersecurity: while the bad guys can use AI to attack the good guys, the good guys can also use it to protect their systems and data from cyberattacks. Artificial intelligence …