Tech Expert Selasie Vondee Warns That AI Is Making Cyberattacks More Sophisticated

Chief Technology Officer of Smart Innovations Ghana, Selasie Vondee, has disclosed that Artificial intelligence is making cyberattacks increasingly sophisticated, even as technology companies strengthen their security systems to protect users. 

Speaking on The Big Convo segment of Culture Daily on 3Music TV and Pluzz 89.9 FM, Vondee said advances in artificial intelligence are transforming the cybersecurity landscape, making it easier for determined attackers to identify vulnerabilities in websites, applications and digital systems.

He explained that while major technology companies continue to improve security through features such as two-factor authentication and additional verification measures, cybercriminals are also adopting new tools.

“I realised now there are GitHub repositories which have AI bots which try to penetrate into websites and all that to do penetration testing on websites,” he said.

According to him, some of these tools are designed for legitimate security testing, but similar technologies can also be misused by attackers seeking to exploit weaknesses.

Vondee said artificial intelligence is making technical knowledge more accessible, meaning individuals with malicious intent can obtain information that was previously difficult to acquire.

“As technology grows with AI coming up, even if you check on Google… if you really want to, there’s AI,” he said.

He noted, however, that advances in cybersecurity are keeping pace with emerging threats.

Technology companies, he said, continue to introduce stronger protections to make unauthorised access more difficult. Features such as two-factor authentication and security PINs have significantly reduced the ease with which accounts can be compromised compared with previous years.

Despite these improvements, Vondee cautioned that cybersecurity remains an ongoing contest between attackers and defenders.

“Once you’re closing the door, someone is opening another door somewhere else. So it’s like that in the tech world,” he said.

He also addressed concerns about compromised messaging applications, saying it has become harder to gain access to services such as WhatsApp because of enhanced security measures.

“At first it was easier, but now these tech companies have added lots of security features to be able to cut that out,” he said.

Even so, he acknowledged that determined attackers may still find ways to breach systems if they possess the necessary technical expertise.

The technology expert also warned users to remain cautious online, particularly when interacting with suspicious links or websites, noting that compromised devices can expose users to unauthorised access, including webcams and other sensitive features.

He encouraged smartphone and computer users to regularly update their devices, enable available security features and stay informed about emerging cyber threats.

Vondee said while technology will continue to evolve, users also have a responsibility to practise good digital security habits to reduce their exposure to cybercrime.