Artificial intelligence (AI) cybersecurity dimensions: a comprehensive framework for understanding adversarial and offensive AI

Abstract As Artificial Intelligence (AI) rapidly advances and integrates into various domains, cybersecurity emerges as a critical field grappling with both the benefits and pitfalls of AI technologies. This paper explores the multifaceted dimensions of AI-driven cyberattacks, offering insights into their implications, mitigation strategies, underlying motivations, and profound societal impacts. The research centres on developing and presenting the AI Cybersecurity Dimensions (AICD) Framework, a comprehensive, multidimensional schema designed to guide academics, policymakers, and industry professionals in understanding and combating the evolving challenges posed by AI-driven cyber threats. The research unveils the complex dynamics of offensive AI, stressing the need for adaptive defences and ethical considerations. Concurrently, the study highlights adversarial AI threats, calling for proactive measures to address their potential ramifications. Through rigorous textual analyses and extensive literature reviews, the paper underscores the urgency for interdisciplinary approaches to bridge the technology-humanity chasm traditionally observed in cybersecurity discussions. By synthesising these diverse elements, the AICD Framework emerges as an instrumental tool for holistic understanding and practical interventions in the AI-infused cybersecurity landscape. The paper concludes with an urgent call for collaborative efforts in research and practice to navigate the intricate challenges and capitalise on the opportunities borne from the convergence of AI and cybersecurity.