Public Concern Grows Over AI Use in Cybersecurity – Tool for Defenders and Attackers, Mixed Sentiment Among Adults
What Happened — A Malwarebytes Labs analysis of recent Pew and UK surveys shows that roughly 50 % of adults are more concerned than excited about the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in daily life. While respondents acknowledge practical benefits—especially in data analysis and routine tasks—they increasingly fear AI‑enabled job loss, creativity erosion, misinformation, and surveillance. In cybersecurity, the public perceives AI as a double‑edged sword: a necessary defender against sophisticated threats but also a powerful weapon for cybercriminals.
Why It Matters for TPRM —
- Vendors that embed AI in security products must demonstrate robust governance to prevent misuse and bias.
- Third‑party risk assessments should include AI‑related controls (model validation, data provenance, adversarial testing).
- Growing public scrutiny may translate into regulatory pressure on AI‑driven services, affecting contract negotiations and compliance obligations.
Who Is Affected — Technology‑SaaS providers, cloud‑hosting services, AI‑enabled security vendors, and any organization that outsources AI‑powered tools.
Recommended Actions — Review AI governance frameworks of critical vendors, request evidence of model testing and bias mitigation, verify that AI‑driven security tools are complemented by human oversight, and monitor emerging regulations on AI transparency.
Technical Notes — The surveys highlight AI’s role in automating phishing content, voice‑cloning, deep‑fake media, and vulnerability discovery. No specific CVE or malware family is cited; the risk stems from the broader adoption of machine‑learning techniques by both defenders and attackers. Source: Malwarebytes Labs – AI: Threat, tool, or both?