AI and Cyber Chakravyuha
UPSC Syllabus:
Prelims: GS 3: Science and Technology
New Wave of Security Threats
• The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and a new wave of security threats has emerged.
• These threats are characterized by their sophistication, scale, and ability to cause significant disruption.
• The convergence of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the spread of misinformation, and the rise of cyber attacks have created a complex security environment that requires attention.
Cyber Security
• Cybersecurity refers to practices, technologies, and processes to protect systems, networks, and data from digital attacks.
• As our reliance on digital infrastructure grows, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for individuals, businesses, and governments.
• Effective cybersecurity measures are essential to protect sensitive information, ensure continuity of operations, and prevent financial losses.
Current State of Cybersecurity
• Cybersecurity is a constantly evolving field, with new threats emerging as technology advances.
• According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2024, cyberattacks have increased by 30% over the past year, with ransomware attacks alone costing global businesses more than $20 billion in losses.
• The report also highlights the growing threat of AI-enabled cyberattacks, which are expected to become more prevalent as AI technologies become more accessible.
• Governments and organizations around the world are investing heavily in cybersecurity to counter these threats.
• For example, the US government allocated $9.8 billion for cybersecurity in its 2024 budget, reflecting growing recognition of the importance of cybersecurity in national security.
• Similarly, India’s National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, with a focus on threat prevention, resilience, and response.
Cyber Chakravyuha
• The term “cyber chakravyuha” is derived from the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, where the chakravyuha was a complex, multi-layered military formation that was nearly impossible to penetrate.
• In the context of cybersecurity, cyber chakravyuha refers to the intricate and often impenetrable web of digital threats in which individuals, organizations, and even nations find themselves entangled.
• It symbolizes the multi-faceted and evolving nature of cyber threats, which require strategic thinking, advanced technical defenses, and coordinated efforts to navigate and overcome.
The complexity of cyber threat
• Cyber Chakravyuha highlights the challenges posed by the convergence of multiple cyber threats, including hacking, phishing, ransomware, and AI-enabled attacks.
• These threats are not isolated; Rather, they are interconnected, with each layer of the maze representing a different aspect of the digital threat landscape.
• The complexity and sophistication of these threats have increased exponentially with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), making it even more challenging for cybersecurity professionals to defend against them.
• For example, AI can be used to automate cyberattacks, making them more efficient and harder to detect.
• This has led to a rise in AI-powered phishing schemes, where attackers use machine learning to create highly personalized and believable phishing emails.
• Similarly, AI can be used to create deep fakes – highly realistic, but fake, images, audio or video – that can be used to defraud and manipulate individuals and organizations.
Key concerns related to misinformation
Role of Artificial Intelligence in Misinformation
• Artificial intelligence (AI) has played a key role in increasing the spread of misinformation.
• AI-powered tools such as generative AI and deep learning algorithms can create highly credible fake content, including deep fakes – videos, images, or audio files that are digitally altered to mislead audiences.
• These deep fakes are increasingly being used in misinformation campaigns to influence public opinion, create confusion, and undermine trust in institutions.
• For example, during Taiwan’s elections in January 2024, AI-generated misinformation was rampant, with fake posts and videos circulating widely on social media platforms.
• This not only caused confusion among voters but also undermined trust in the electoral process.
• According to a report by the World Economic Forum, the use of AI in disinformation campaigns is expected to increase, posing a major threat to global security and stability.
• The report highlights that AI-enabled disinformation is particularly dangerous because it can be produced and disseminated at scale, making it difficult for fact-checkers and authorities to keep up.
Effects of disinformation on society
• Disinformation can sway public opinion, influence elections, and undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions.
• The spread of fake news during elections can lead to misinformation. • Disinformation can lead to negative voting decisions and erode trust in the electoral process
• Disinformation can exploit existing social, ethnic, or political divisions, increasing polarization and conflict.
• By spreading false narratives that reinforce stereotypes or incite hatred, disinformation can fuel tensions and violence.
• When disinformation spreads unchecked, it can erode trust in the media, governments, and other institutions.
Current data and examples
• The global impact of misinformation is evident in several high-profile cases.
• According to a study by the Oxford Internet Institute, organized misinformation campaigns have been identified in 70 countries, with governments and political parties often being the primary perpetrators.
• The study also found that social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Twitter, are the most common channels for spreading misinformation.
• The conflict in Ukraine is a prime example of how misinformation can be weaponized.
• Both sides have employed misinformation tactics, using AI-generated content and cyber attacks to disrupt critical infrastructure and spread false stories.
• This has led to widespread confusion and mistrust, further complicating the conflict and hampering efforts to reach a peaceful resolution.
Key concerns associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its various manifestations
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are designed to think, learn, and adapt like humans.
• AI includes a wide range of technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, and computer vision.
• While AI has the potential to revolutionize industries and improve lives, it also presents significant concerns, particularly about its ethical implications, security risks, and societal impact.
Ethical Concerns
• One of the primary concerns associated with AI is the ethical implications of its use.
• AI systems are increasingly being used in decision-making processes that affect human lives, such as hiring, law enforcement, and healthcare.
• This lack of transparency can lead to biased outcomes, where AI systems maintain or even exacerbate existing social inequalities.
• For example, a study conducted by MIT found that facial recognition algorithms are significantly less accurate at identifying individuals with darker skin than those with lighter skin
• This raises concerns about the fairness and accuracy of AI systems, particularly when they are used in critical areas such as criminal justice.
• Furthermore, the deployment of AI in autonomous weapons and surveillance systems has sparked a global debate about the ethical limits of AI use.
• The potential for AI to be used in ways that violate human rights, such as mass surveillance or lethal autonomous weapons, has led to calls for strict regulations and ethical guidelines.
Security risks
• AI also poses significant security risks, especially in the context of cyber threats.
• AI can be weaponized by malicious actors to conduct more sophisticated cyber attacks.
• For example, AI-powered malware can adapt to security measures in real-time, making them more difficult to detect and neutralize.
• Additionally, AI can be used to automate and scale cyber-attacks, increasing their reach and impact.
• A report by the World Economic Forum highlights the growing use of AI in cyber attacks, stating that AI-powered phishing schemes, ransomware, and deep fakes are becoming increasingly prevalent.
• The report emphasizes that as AI technology becomes more accessible, the number and sophistication of AI-enabled cyber threats is likely to grow.
• The possibility of AI being used in state-sponsored cyber attacks is also a major concern.