AI and Cybersecurity: Opportunities, challenges, and governance

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping cybersecurity by enabling advanced threat detection, automation, and predictive analytics, while its dual-use nature introduces significant risks, such as adversarial AI and ethical dilemmas. This paper studies AI’s transformative role in cybersecurity, using agency theory and moral responsibility theory to frame governance challenges. We examine AI’s applications in threat detection, incident response, and compliance, alongside risks such as data privacy violations, algorithmic bias, and AI-driven cyberattacks. Findings indicate that AI improves accuracy of the potential cyber security threat by up to 92.5 percent and reduces response times by 40 percent. However, challenges such as adversarial attacks and ethical concerns necessitate robust governance frameworks. We propose technical, regulatory, and educational countermeasures to balance innovation and risk, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Future research should focus on explainable AI (XAI), quantum computing integration, and adaptive regulatory frameworks to enhance cybersecurity resilience.