Trend Briefing – AI as a Threat and a Defense Tool

An overview of the many ways AI can be misused by bad actors, and what measures nonprofit organizations should take.

About the Trend Briefing

The potential benefits and uses, as well as the risks, of using Artificial intelligence (AI) have been much discussed. As nonprofits, our intention is to do good – so naturally, we are likely to focus on managing the risk of our use of AI within our own organizations and as part of our humanitarian, development and conservation programming.

But we must not forget that not everyone wielding AI tools has good intentions. In fact, it is the very features of particularly generative AI and large language models (LLMs) – the ability to generate and automate – that empower bad actors and cyber criminals to scale up their efforts, and with that the harm they can inflict on organizations and individuals. The good news? AI is also a powerful tool to combat cybercrime, offering, among other things, advanced threat protection, and efficient identification and attribution of malicious activities.  

As nonprofits, we must be aware of the new level of threats through bad actors using AI for their purposes, and make sure we understand how we defend ourselves against these new threats. In this first instalment of our “AI as a threat and a defense tool” trend briefing, we provide an overview of the many ways AI can be misused by bad actors, and what measures nonprofit organizations should take. In the future, we will also provide an overview of how AI also aids or defense, enhancing the capabilities of cyber security experts and tools.

Bridging the New Digital Divides Spotlight: Digital Transformation and Innovation
The innovation required to meet emerging and existing challenges to the nonprofit sector and the communities we serve only happens when it is made a priority. NetHope works within our network, data, and history of catalyzing collective action to see complex problems are met with insights, policies, and advice that are context-appropriate, efficient and scalable. NetHope will use our influence, networks, data, and history of catalyzing new and high-potential ideas to ensure complex problems are met with insights, policies, guidance, and technology solutions.

Bridging the New Digital Divides Spotlight: Digital Protection
Cyber attacks on organizations have risen to alarming levels. Digital safety at international NGOs is essential for protecting the vulnerable populations they serve and their employees. As cybersecurity risks have become increasingly complex, solitary defense is no longer an option. We must provide better digital protection to address the threats endemic to all digital spaces. NetHope will drive multi-sector, collaborative and strategic approaches to address increasing digital security threats—like cyber security and mis/dis/mal-information—with an emphasis on insights- and skills-sharing, global co-creation, and long-term commitment to protect digital rights.

Acknowledgements

Gratitude is extended to the support and inspiration behind this document. This includes Ivy Gathu, NetHope’s Cyber Security Project Coordinator, and Nino Hares, NetHope’s Chief Information Security Officer, who have provided valuable input to this research.

Appreciation is also extended to the founders and partners of NetHope’s Center for the Digital Nonprofit.

Partners of NetHope’s Center for the Digital Nonprofit