Generative AI and Cybersecurity: Opportunities and Challenges for Romania
Roundtable of the Aspen Technology & Society Program
About the Event
The roundtable, the second in a series of conversations organized by the Aspen Institute Romania under the Aspen Technology & Society program, focuses on the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Romania. It aims to address a context shaped by the rapid advancement of AI technologies, including Generative AI, and the growing challenges in global and regional cybersecurity. As cyberattacks become increasingly sophisticated, Romania, despite having a lower digitalization level compared to other European countries, is recognized for its expertise in cybersecurity. However, to maintain and strengthen this status, Romania must adapt to emerging technologies, including Generative AI, and enhance its cyber defense capabilities.
This event comes at a time when governments and companies worldwide are seeking innovative solutions to protect data and critical infrastructure from increasingly complex cyberattacks. In this context, Romania has the opportunity to position itself as a regional leader by adopting and integrating Generative AI into its cybersecurity strategy, while also facing the responsibility of navigating regulatory, ethical, and skill-development challenges. The roundtable offers a crucial platform to discuss these aspects and outline clear actions to address this challenging and dynamic landscape.
Bringing together government representatives, industry experts, and academics, the event will explore both the potential of these technologies in enhancing digital protection and the complex challenges of implementing them. Discussions will be structured around three main themes: Opportunities offered by Generative AI, such as automating cyber protection and developing innovative products; Challenges, including heightened risks of sophisticated cyberattacks, regulatory concerns, and ethical issues; The future of cybersecurity in Romania, focusing on national and international strategies and how Romania can become a regional leader in this field.
This roundtable will provide a platform for exchanging ideas and concrete proposals, aiming to identify ways Romania can fully leverage the potential of Generative AI in cybersecurity while ensuring the protection of its digital infrastructure.
Event Format
A roundtable by invitation only, held under the Chatham House Rule, moderated by Radu Puchiu, Director of the Aspen Technology & Society program. The format will include questions to speakers followed by contributions from participants. The discussion will take place in Romanian.
About the Aspen Technology & Society Program
Under the Aspen Technology & Society program, a non-partisan platform for transparent, impartial, evidence-based, and multilateral dialogue, a community of diverse and relevant stakeholders has been established. This community includes representatives from the public, private, and non-governmental sectors, as well as academia. The goal is to identify untapped opportunities arising from public sector digitalization, new technologies, and automation, while also promoting societal resilience in the face of new technology-related threats.
Partners of the Aspen Technology & Society Program 2024: Vodafone, Google, eMAG