AI in Cyberwarfare: Impact of AI Automation and Data Weaponisation

This research focuses on the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in modern cyberwarfare, in particular, its effects on AI automation and data weaponisation throughout the 2023 Nigerian presidential election. We have analysed the ways by which AI is redefining cyberspace operations and found both the potential benefits of the use of AI in such operations and the very serious security and ethical challenges brought forth. Using a four-step methodology, we identified current trends in AI and cyberwarfare, harvested and analysed over six million tweets relevant to the Nigerian election, and set the foundation for building an AI model whose objective is to mimic Nigerian communication styles to generate fake content. Our findings indicate that the potential of AI-generated disinformation to manipulate election results is downright terrifying. This means that policymakers must understand and regulate the use of AI in cyber warfare for national security protection. Keywords: AI, Cyberwarfare, AI Automation, Data Weaponisation Proceedings Citation Format Hamzat Lateef (CISM), Birma Markus Yakubu & Abdulqadri Afolabi (2024): AI in Cyberwarfare: Impact of AI Automation and Data Weaponisation. Proceedings of the Cyber Secure Nigeria Conference held at The Ballroom Center, Central Business District, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria - 25th - 26th September, 2024. Pp 71-82. https://cybersecurenigeria.org/conference-proceedings/volume-1-2024/ dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/CSEAN-SMART2024P7