Political Awareness

Note: Political Awareness’s published communication is never authorized by any candidate or their committees.

Every day, our digital world becomes more intelligent—and more complex. From facial recognition to email filters, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a vital part of modern technology. But while AI is being used to defend networks, it’s also becoming a tool for cybercriminals. As cyber threats evolve, so must the defenders. That’s where ethical hackers—professionals who test systems for weaknesses with permission—play a vital role. In this issue, we explore what ethical hacking means, how AI is changing cybersecurity, the ways hackers are fighting back, and what everyday people can do to stay safe.

What Is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking is the practice of legally and safely testing digital systems to find vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do. These professionals, often called “white-hat hackers,” are hired by companies or governments to simulate attacks on software, networks, and devices. Their goal is to find and report weak points that could otherwise be exploited.

What separates ethical hacking from criminal hacking is intent and permission. Ethical hackers don’t steal or destroy—they assess, report, and help fix problems. As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, organizations rely on ethical hackers to stay one step ahead of digital threats.

AI in Cybersecurity: A Double-Edged Sword

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we defend our networks. Security systems powered by AI can detect threats faster than any human. For instance, AI can analyze massive amounts of data in real time to flag suspicious activity, helping to stop attacks as they happen. AI tools are also used to automate repetitive security tasks, making systems more efficient and responsive.

At the same time, hackers are using AI as a weapon. Criminals are training AI to write realistic phishing emails, generate fake voices or videos, and create malware that learns from its environment. These tools make scams harder to detect and attacks more damaging.

This dual use of AI—by both defenders and attackers—means that cybersecurity today is more than just a technical problem. It’s a constant arms race between innovation and exploitation.

How Ethical Hackers Help

Ethical hackers are now focusing on the unique risks that come with AI. One major area of concern is how AI models can be manipulated. In security testing, ethical hackers might deliberately try to confuse a facial recognition system by altering an image just slightly. If the AI can be fooled, the system is considered vulnerable.

Another task involves red teaming—staging mock attacks that mimic real-world hackers using AI tools. Ethical hackers use these simulations to see whether AI-powered security software can recognize and respond to threats correctly. If it can’t, they recommend improvements before a real attacker shows up.

Some ethical hackers also examine the AI tools themselves. They check whether an AI model makes decisions fairly, whether its data is private, and whether it can be abused by outsiders. For example, they might test whether a chatbot could be tricked into giving out confidential information or generating malicious content.

This work is critical because companies are adopting AI faster than they can secure it. Ethical hackers help slow down and study that process, ensuring safety comes before speed.

Challenges and Concerns

Despite its benefits, ethical hacking in the age of AI faces serious challenges. First, AI systems are often “black boxes.” This means their decisions are hard to trace or explain. If an AI blocks access to a user or flags them as suspicious, it may not be clear why. Ethical hackers must navigate these opaque systems carefully to spot problems.

Second, AI can reflect the biases in its training data. If it’s trained on unfair or incomplete information, it might treat some people or actions differently from others. Ethical hackers must test these systems for fairness as well as security.

Legal concerns also add complexity. Not every organization welcomes ethical hacking, and there are laws that limit how far a hacker can go—even with good intentions. Some companies make it risky to report flaws by threatening legal action or ignoring reports altogether. This creates tension between researchers and the organizations they’re trying to help.

As attackers begin using AI to automate their work, defenders must do the same. But matching AI with AI requires serious investment in time, training, and money; resources that not every company has.

TLDR

Artificial Intelligence is changing the world of cybersecurity—and ethical hackers are stepping up to meet the challenge. They are testing AI systems for flaws, simulating threats before they happen, and helping companies build smarter, more secure technologies. But this work doesn’t just belong to experts. Whether you’re a business owner, student, or casual tech user, you play a part in the future of digital safety.

As AI continues to grow in power and reach, ethical hackers remain a vital line of defense—guarding not just our devices, but our trust in the technology that now surrounds us.