AI in the fight against AI: Local governments consider artificial intelligence for cybersecurity

As state and local governments grapple with a changing digital and computing landscape in the form of artificial intelligence, counties are “obligated” to learn how to incorporate artificial intelligence into their cybersecurity efforts, officials said.

“This is so important for our local governments because they have to figure out not only how we best use artificial intelligence, but also how we protect our citizens and information. How do we strike that balance?” asked Senator Mary Beth Carozza (Republican of Eastern Shore).

She moderated a panel titled “Guardians of the Digital Realm: AI's Role in Strengthening Cybersecurity” at the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference on Wednesday. It was one of several sessions and conversations this week about the many ways government agencies can use AI, including in economic development, public benefit enrollment and communications.

Among other things, AI is becoming increasingly important in cybersecurity systems.

Stephen Pereira, Calvert County's director of technology services, who also participated in the discussion, believes cybersecurity has become an arms race: using AI to counter cyberattacks by malicious actors who use AI to penetrate systems.

“If you don't use AI in cybersecurity, you don't get real-time intelligence on ransomware attacks and … you can't respond with the same speed and real-time intelligence,” he said. “Hackers use AI. The only way to fight AI is with AI.”

However, Pereira urged county and state officials to also consider the downsides of using AI.

He pointed out that running artificial intelligence requires a lot of energy.

“We have to consider other things, such as the environmental impact of these systems. They consume enormous amounts of power and data. They are incredibly expensive to operate,” said Pereira.

The use of AI brings its own cybersecurity risks related to the dissemination and use of data. He also noted that there could be “mass job losses” and other economic threats as AI takes over tasks that humans are normally paid to do.

He even mentioned the “existential threat” posed by AI, as some people who are not sufficiently informed about its uses, capabilities and limitations may not trust AI programs.

“Do you think that artificial intelligence will make us completely obsolete and destroy humanity? I don't know. I think it's unlikely – I don't rule it out,” he joked.