Cybercrime Beyond Human Control: Is AI Our Last Line of Defense?

News Desk, Biggani.org
📩 [email protected]

– Special Report on Technology, Security, and the Stories of the Future

“Last month, 25,000 taka suddenly disappeared from my elder brother’s bank account. Later, the bank said he apparently clicked on a phishing link!”

Stories like these are now often heard among friends chatting on university campuses. But the reality is even more alarming—globally, cybercrime has reached such a level that it’s become almost impossible for individuals to handle it alone.

With this concern in mind, Microsoft recently announced the launch of advanced 11 artificial intelligence (AI) agents designed to provide 24/7 digital security support to people.

Why Is This Change So Urgent? – Some Alarming Statistics

Recently, cybercrime has been rising at an unprecedented rate.

• According to a Cybersecurity Ventures report, global losses due to cybercrime reached $9.2 trillion USD in 2023, and this figure may exceed $10.5 trillion by 2025.
• As per FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), cybercrime losses in the United States alone amounted to $12.5 billion in 2023.
• Microsoft alone tracked around 30 billion phishing emails in 2023.
• Research by the University of Maryland shows that a cyber attack occurs every 39 seconds worldwide.
• According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average loss per data breach is $4.45 million.

The sheer volume of these cyber threats is moving beyond human capacity to control.

AI Agents: The New Defenders of Security

To overcome human limitations, Microsoft has launched 11 AI-powered security agents. These agents are specifically trained to—

• Scan millions of emails and messages to detect phishing links
• Prevent hacking attempts in real time
• Identify the sources of attacks and monitor hackers’ activities

According to Microsoft, these agents work tirelessly in the background — something no human could possibly do.

Is It Possible to Control Cybercrime Without AI?

Cybercriminals themselves now use AI. The dark web is full of AI-generated hacking tools.

• According to the World Economic Forum (2023), hackers can buy AI-powered hacking tools for just $10 to $50.
• Even those with no coding skills can now use AI tools to create phishing emails and scam websites.

Experts say, “Human-made security measures are no longer enough to combat AI-powered cyberattacks. To fight AI, we need AI too.”

Importance in Bangladesh’s Context

The use of digital services in Bangladesh has also increased significantly:

• According to BTRC (2023), there are now more than 140 million mobile users in the country, and about half of them use mobile financial services.
• As per Bangladesh e-Government Computer Incident Response Team (BGD e-Gov CIRT), the rate of cyberattacks in Bangladesh increased by 87% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
• Various banks, educational institutions, and government servers across the country are at risk of cyberattacks.

Therefore, Bangladesh must quickly develop an AI-based cyber security infrastructure.

What University Students Should Do

Now is the time for university students to start preparing:

• Courses and Training: Acquire skills in AI, cyber security, machine learning, and data analytics.
• Participate in Research: Conduct research on AI-based cyber security solutions tailored for Bangladesh.
• Spread Awareness: Educate others about security and best practices.

Final Thoughts: AI Could Be the Shield of the Future

Humans get tired, make mistakes, and can be emotional. But AI is tireless, accurate, and impartial.

Microsoft’s move sends a powerful message to the entire tech world: in the fight to protect people, AI could be our most reliable ally.

What do you think? Is the future of Bangladesh’s cyber security truly in the hands of AI?