Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity: Defensive Capabilities, Offensive Risks, and the Future of Intelligent Cyber Defense

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the cybersecurity landscape by enabling advanced threat detection, automated response mechanisms, and predictive risk analysis. At the same time, AI introduces new attack vectors, including adversarial machine learning, AI-generated phishing, and autonomous cyber threats. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of AI’s dual role in cybersecurity, examining both defensive capabilities and offensive risks. It explores real-world applications such as anomaly detection, behavioural analytics, and AI-driven Security Operations Centers (SOCs), alongside emerging threats powered by generative AI and adversarial techniques. The study proposes a strategic framework for integrating AI into cybersecurity programs while addressing governance, ethical considerations, and risk management. Through case studies and industry analysis, this research highlights the evolving cyber threat landscape and outlines a roadmap for organizations to build resilient, intelligent cyber defence systems.