Cuba discusses Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence

HAVANA, Cuba, Nov 21 (ACN) With a conference on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI), its challenges and opportunities, the 4th National Cybersecurity Day began this Thursday in Guantánamo. The event is promoted by the Republic of Cuba's Ministry of Communications and will extend until November 30.

From the city's Computer Palace, Master of Science Arnaldo Fernández Basulto, a professor and specialist from the Observatory of the University of Guantánamo, highlighted the importance of protecting institutional networks, personal data, and financial information against the increase in digital threats.
He mentioned among these dangers viruses, data kidnapping, identity theft, and other automated attacks, citing the high rate of digital extortion in Europe as an example.

As a local case, the recent dismantling of a network of scammers in the province was presented, who used social engineering and digital tools to deceive their victims in fraudulent buying and selling of US dollars. It was emphasized that among common tactics are false messages impersonating family members or friends to ask for money.
There is also the creation of compromising content with AI for extortion, as well as the dissemination of false news, images, or videos that erode social trust.

The specialist explained that while criminals use AI to create malicious code and false documents, this same technology can serve as a shield through the proactive detection of threats, automating responses to incidents in seconds, and generating hyper-realistic attack simulations to train staff.

It was emphasized that institutions must adopt AI as an indispensable defensive tool. The participants, specialists, and technicians from related entities, agreed on the urgency of a change in mindset and on the digital literacy of citizens to face these challenges.

As examples of advances in the use of this tool, the national AI "Cecilia" and a project of the Telecommunications Company, Etecsa, which is developing for document management with AI created by them, were highlighted.

The Solvisión Telecentro is already developing two prototypes of virtual presenters, and in January, a training program in audiovisual production with this technology will begin.

It was also reported that applications for Guantanamo's radio are being explored, such as the implementation of virtual announcers that would allow in the future to maintain programming 24 hours a day without physical strain on workers. Training is also underway for the use of AI for the analysis of financial statements in the business sector.

The 4th National Cybersecurity Day in Guantánamo includes the holding of technology fairs, contests, and workshops, sponsored by the Union of Computer Scientists of Cuba, the Youth Computer and Electronics Clubs, Xetid, among other entities, and fundamental aspects of digital security will be promoted.