AI Enters the Cyber Attack Realm

Artificial intelligence is one of the most influential forces in information technology. It can help drive cars, fly unmanned aircraft and protect networks. But artificial intelligence also can be a dark force, one that adversaries use to learn new ways to hack systems, shut down networks and deny access to crucial information. The challenge is to prepare for a future where autonomous cyber attacks powered by artificial intelligence (AI) will threaten cyberspace and could endanger human life. This prospect is so significant that the Japanese Cabinet Secretariat tasked with developing the country's cybersecurity initiatives has created a research and development focus group to craft plans to counter cybersecurity threats, including those designed with AI.