Experts Warn of Expanding Cyber and AI Warfare Amid Regional Conflict

Experts Warn of Expanding Cyber and AI Warfare Amid Regional Conflict
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As military tensions escalate following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, cybersecurity experts say a parallel digital war is unfolding beyond the physical battlefield.

Erdem Eris, CEO of cybersecurity firm Cyber Arts, told Anadolu Agency that artificial intelligence has become central to modern warfare, driving intelligence analysis, target assessment, and operational decision-making. He said the conflict now extends across cyberspace, from critical infrastructure such as energy grids to mobile applications and media platforms.

According to Eris, state-sponsored hackers are targeting national infrastructure while conducting psychological cyber operations aimed at shaping public perception. He cited incidents including the hacking of media outlets and the alleged takeover of widely used mobile apps to distribute propaganda.

Eris described the digital conflict as a three-tiered struggle involving infrastructure infiltration, perception management, and cybercrime activities such as phishing and ransomware. He warned that heavy reliance on AI creates new vulnerabilities, making cyber resilience and technological independence critical to national security in an increasingly interconnected global system.