PITCH

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In an era where digital transformation is accelerating across all sectors, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity has become a focal point of both promise and peril. The session "AI at the Crossroads: Enhancing Security or Empowering Cyber Threats?" aims to explore the dual-edged nature of AI as it intersects with the protection of critical national infrastructures on land and at sea.

Context: As AI technologies evolve, they offer unprecedented capabilities in detecting and mitigating cyber threats. Advanced machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to identify anomalies, predict potential breaches, and automate responses to cyber incidents. However, the same technologies that bolster our defenses can be exploited by malicious actors to launch sophisticated attacks, evade detection, and compromise security systems.

Major Challenges:

            • Sophistication of Attacks: AI-driven attacks can adapt and learn, making them harder to detect and counter. Cybercriminals can use AI to develop more effective phishing schemes, malware, and ransomware.
            • Defensive AI Integration: Integrating AI into existing cybersecurity frameworks poses significant challenges, including ensuring data integrity, managing false positives, and maintaining robust, real-time threat detection.
            • Ethical and Regulatory Issues: The use of AI in cybersecurity raises ethical questions and necessitates the development of comprehensive regulations to prevent misuse while fostering innovation.
Discussion Points:

            • AI for Threat Detection: How AI enhances the ability to identify and respond to cyber threats in real time, with case studies from critical national and maritime infrastructures.
            • AI Exploitation by Cybercriminals: Examining instances where AI has been used to enhance cyber attacks and discussing strategies to counter these threats.
            • Collaborative Defense Strategies: The importance of public-private partnerships and international collaboration in leveraging AI for cybersecurity while addressing its risks.
            • Future Trends and Innovations: Exploring emerging AI technologies and their potential impact on the cybersecurity landscape, including predictive analytics, digital twins, and Zero Trust architectures.
Join us for an enlightening exchange as experts from the Cybersecurity for Critical National Infrastructures (CyberCNI) and Cybersecurity of Maritime Systems (Cyber Navale) research chairs share their latest findings and insights. This session promises to deliver a balanced perspective on the opportunities and threats posed by AI in cybersecurity, fostering a deeper understanding of how to navigate this complex digital frontier.