AI-BASED CYBERATTACKS AND INFORMATION WARFARE: A GEOPOLITICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into cybersecurity operations has fundamentally transformed the landscape of modern information warfare. This article examines the intersection of AI-powered cyberattacks and geopolitical conflicts, analysing how state and non-state actors leverage machine learning algorithms, autonomous malware, and large-scale disinformation campaigns to achieve strategic objectives in the digital domain. Drawing on documented incidents from major geopolitical rivalries - including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, US-China technological competition, and Middle Eastern cyber confrontations - this study investigates the mechanisms through which AI amplifies the scale, speed, and precision of offensive cyber operations. Furthermore, the paper explores the socio-political dimensions of AI-driven information warfare, including the manipulation of public opinion, destabilisation of democratic institutions, and erosion of epistemic trust in digital ecosystems. The analysis reveals that traditional international legal frameworks are ill-equipped to address the emergent threats posed by autonomous cyber weapons and AI-generated propaganda. The article concludes by proposing a multilateral governance framework that integrates technical, diplomatic, and humanitarian considerations to mitigate the destabilising effects of AI-enhanced cyber conflict.