The GCC and the wider Arab region need to work together to utilise artificial intelligence (AI) and counter rising threats from cyber criminals, a meeting of experts heard.
This was recommended yesterday during the two-day Arab International Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition (AICS) taking place at Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir.
During the opening leadership panel session, titled ‘Cybersecurity in the Age of AI Disruption’, UAE Head of Cyber Security Dr Mohammed Al Kuwaiti said that the region should build resilience against the increasing misuse of AI technology.
He spoke alongside Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council secretary general Dr Ibrahim Al Furaih, Tunisia’s National Cybersecurity Agency director general Dr Yacine Djemaiel, Oman national cybersecurity director general Badar Al Salehi, and Interpol cybercrime director Neal Jettonn.
“We need to all unite against adversaries in the region,” said Dr Al Kuwaiti.
The session was moderated by European Cybersecurity Competence Centre executive director Luca Tagliaretti.
“It is crucial, now more than ever, to invest and build digital transformation in AI and cybersecurity,” added Dr Al Kuwaiti. “Proper strategies and ideas need to be adopted because they can affect, impact and protect everyone.
“Build up AI as the first line of defence against these cyber criminals and, most importantly, invest in and empower your human resources to enhance security for everyone.”
Mr Jettonn revealed that an analysis of the region is underway to determine how many potential victims there are in the Middle East and North Africa region when it comes to cyber-attacks on crucial infrastructure.
The move follows news that the international criminal police organisation Interpol has already held 10 different operations in the Asia-Pacific region and in Africa.
“It is estimated that there are around 88,000 potential victims in Africa and 200,000 in Asia-Pacific,” he said. “However, the number might be higher, because less than half of cyber-attacks and scams are actually reported, especially by private companies, fearing damage to their reputations.
“As for individuals, they are usually ashamed that they fell for AI scams, so they choose not to report it. Others however, just don’t know how to report them, making platforms for the purpose a rising necessity not just in the GCC, but also around the Middle East in general.”
Mr Jettonn listed how criminals have been using AI to cause disruption and initiate more elaborate online and telecom scams, that looks set to be even more problematic in 2026.
“Phishing emails are common, but now they are becoming more elaborative,” he said. “Criminals are now using AI to rectify spelling mistakes and tailor them to different languages, cultures and countries.
“There has also been rising cases of ‘sextortion’ scams and ‘deep fakes’ due to the rising use of generative AI.
“The spectrum of cyber-crime is wider than ever and attacks on infrastructure can cause widespread panic.”
In order to combat the rising use of AI in cybercrime in the Arab world, Dr Al Furaih outlined that the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council had recently adopted a new Arab Cybersecurity Strategy.
“We are trying to be more active, not just regionally, but internationally as well.
“Strategies will be put in place to ensure resilience and enhanced security for 22 Arab states.
“It is important to start by building trust with society and then enhance technology in every country.
“Work is underway to build every nation’s capability and cyber industry based on innovation.
“This is our chance to improve regional and global co-operation to make cyberspace safer for all of us.”
Other sessions yesterday included talks on Cyber Threat Intelligence, a case study of Fintech in Bahrain and Securing National Infrastructure.
It will conclude today with discussions on Women in Cyber Leadership, Cybersecurity for Satellites and Sustainability in the Digital Age.
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