US expert advocates AI-driven solutions to counter cyberattacks

Islamabad : Amid growing cyber threats, Vice President at the United States Information Technology and Innovation Foundation and director at the ITIF's Centre for Data Innovation Daniel Castro has underscored the urgent need for businesses, especially smaller ones, to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure and for governments to prioritise the adoption of AI-driven solutions to safeguard against the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks.

During a US Embassy dialogue on “The Economic Value of Internet Freedom” Castro said as there was a notable increase in cyberattacks across the world, large multinational corporations were investing heavily in cybersecurity measures such as multi-factor authentication, well-trained personnel and best-in-class services, but small and medium-sized enterprises suffered from fraud and data loss due to limited resources. He insisted that AI could help close the cybersecurity gap. The ITIF vice president, however, said that this option presented risks as cybercriminals used it to exploit vulnerabilities more efficiently for malicious purposes.

He urged governments to focus on AI adoption as a core component of their cybersecurity policies to close the gap in the cybersecurity battle to catch up with the attacker s. Castro said while Pakistan was a leading digital economy and was trying to develop digital infrastructure, the problem of internet shutdowns negatively affected its economy. "Whether internet outages last for minutes, hours, or days, and whether they impact specific services, they come with a significant economic cost. Studies show that broadband and wireless connectivity contributes to higher GDP, improved trade, increased wages, and better paying -

jobs, so internet service disruptions and slow speeds are a serious issue," he said.

The American cybersecurity expert said some people favoured internet shutdowns for political stability or political power in the short term, but the long-term economic stability gained from avoiding such outages far outweighed temporary advantages. He, however, advocated for red lines. "Just like you won’t want to shut down all roads or ports if harmful content or products are coming in. Instead you go out, spot those elements and take them down. We should treat internet with that level of respect and the online services as well," he said.

Castro said policymakers in some countries failed to recognise that platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are not merely for entertainment or socialising, but were essential to the functioning of many businesses, especially small enterprises. He said one of the user he spoke with this week insisted that her primary source of customers was Twitter, but when it was taken down, her revenue was significantly affected as it disrupted where she’s getting her clients.

"Authorities might claim they're only blocking certain social media sites and not the entire internet, but that's still part of the internet, and it's still a vital part of commercial activity, which has a huge impact," he said. The ITIF vice president noted the AI was being increasingly used for lower-value IT tasks and outsourced digital services in Pakistan, so the government should ensure workers are upskilled to use AI for more productive, higher-value work.

He, however, said that shift required rethinking the current education policies, which were focused on traditional higher education paths. "In the future, shorter courses, online learning, and micro-credentials will be key to preparing people for new jobs. These credentials must be affordable, relevant, and aligned with employers’ needs. Universities, funding models, and employer-university connections will have to evolve to ensure people aren't trapped in jobs that don't have a future," he said. Castro called for better software security through initiatives like software bills of materials, which provide detailed component inventories. He said the challenge with tackling extremism lied in finding a balance between removing harmful content and protecting free speech, as suppressing certain material could unintentionally make it more visible.