October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about online threats and promote safe digital practices. Over the years, we have come to think of cybersecurity as other individuals, like hackers or foreign princes who email you promising great riches if you help them. However, another type of technology is advancing too, artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence, or AI as it is commonly known, is technology that allows computers and other machines to artificially simulate the processes of human learning and understanding, problem solving and creativity, and independence. You may be familiar with AI through programs like ChatGPT or photo generators. AI has great potential for innovation and creativity. For example, AI can compute and generate results faster than humans, which is undeniably a potential resource. From personalized academic curriculums to genome specific medicine and treatments, AI has seemingly endless possibilities. We are even seeing autonomous, self-driving cars and potentially AI cybersecurity software to combat malicious AI and other cyberspace threats.
The role of artificial intelligence (AI) has become crucial in strengthening cybersecurity as threats evolve. AI helps detect and respond to cyberattacks faster by analyzing vast amounts of data and identifying unusual patterns or anomalies that may signal a breach. And, the ability to continue learning and evolving enables systems to improve over time, making them more effective at predicting potential threats and responding to new types of malware or phishing attacks.
However, AI brings both benefits and challenges to the fight against cybercrime, encouraging organizations and individuals to stay informed and adopt AI-driven tools responsibly for enhanced security. Cybercriminals can use it to automate attacks and develop more sophisticated hacking techniques; it can be used to manipulate photos and videos into something so real it creates confusion (most of us have seen the AI-created video of both presidential candidates romancing each other); and AI has been used to create phone calls that make individuals believe their loved ones have been kidnapped.
Sadly, those who seek to do harm are always looking for a new way to do so. Some of the dangers of AI include the following:
Lack of AI Transparency and Understanding: Many of the AI and learning model software can be difficult to understand and the companies are not always open about the way their program works.
Social Manipulation Through AI Algorithms: With an increase use of online media and news, the threat of technologies that produce deepfakes can negatively impact political and social spheres and spread misinformation. Deepfakes are computer generated realistic photos, videos, audio clips or the image of one figure with another in an existing picture of video.
Social Surveillance with AI Technology: AI may adversely affect privacy and security through programs such as facial recognition technology that can be used in offices, schools, and other venues.
Financial Crises Brought About by AI Algorithms: As the financial industry further involves AI technology into finance and trading processes, the risk for a major financial crisis increases.
Increased Criminal Activity: With AI technology becoming more readily accessible, the danger of online predators and hackers increases.
As you can imagine, most of the laws and public policies that address AI are better applied on the national or even international level. Yet, there are possibilities on the state level. Twenty-one states passed AI legislation in 2024, with at least a dozen more considering bills. This year, legislative leadership created a special task force on artificial intelligence to identify how it may be harnessed to make state programs more effective and efficient, as well as how we can better protect both state government and individual Kentuckians from negative consequences.
Clearly artificial intelligence is an ongoing issue. In the meantime, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. One key step to take is educating yourself about the evolving nature of threats to your cyber space and learn about the took to protect yourself effectively.
Strengthen Your Authentication Methods: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and consider using biometric security measures. AI can be used by cybercriminals to guess passwords or impersonate users, so combining MFA with strong passwords and biometric data helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Be Wary of AI-Generated Content: Remember, if it looks or sounds too good (or bad) to be true, it may not be. AI can create convincing phishing emails, fake websites, or even synthetic media (like deepfakes). Stay vigilant by verifying, looking for inconsistencies in messages, and double-checking suspicious links before clicking. Keeping software updated also helps mitigate risks from these AI-driven threats.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at amy.neighbors@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
(Laura Leigh Goins, Deputy Chief of Staff for Media Relations – House Majority Leadership)