Konferencija: „Izazovi i koristi vještačke inteligencije u oblasti sajber bezbjednosti“

Excellencies, distinguished guests, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to join you today at this important conference on the challenges and benefits of artificial intelligence in the field of cybersecurity. I would like to thank the organisers for bringing together such a diverse community of experts, institutions, and partners. This conversation could not be more timely or more necessary.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping our world at remarkable speed. It is transforming how we work, communicate, learn, and govern. And nowhere is this transformation more visible – or more consequential – than in the field of cybersecurity.

On the one hand, AI offers unprecedented opportunities. Machine learning systems are elevating our capacity to detect threats that were previously invisible. They can analyse vast amounts of data in real time, identify anomalies, and recognise zero-day attacks faster than any human team ever could. AI enables smarter threat prioritisation, quicker incident response, and more robust protection of complex digital environments.

Importantly for countries like Montenegro, where cybersecurity teams often operate with limited human and financial resources, AI can serve as a powerful force-multiplier – optimising workflows, increasing efficiency, and strengthening protection of critical infrastructure. AI-enabled systems can also support governance, risk, and compliance efforts by automating monitoring and helping institutions meet regulatory and legal requirements.

However, as all of you in this room know well, AI is also a double-edged sword.

The same technologies that enhance our defences can be weaponised to undermine them. Malicious actors can use AI to generate more sophisticated, targeted, and adaptive attacks. AI systems themselves can be manipulated through adversarial inputs, allowing attackers to bypass security controls. The increased reliance on data – and the enormous volumes required to train AI systems – significant concerns around privacy, confidentiality, and data protection.

We must also confront several structural challenges. High-quality data is often scarce, particularly in smaller markets, and this limits the effectiveness of AI tools. Implementation costs remain high. Algorithmic bias, lack of transparency, and the difficulty of explaining automated decision-making all pose risks to public trust and to accountability. And the legal and ethical questions – from surveillance to deepfakes to questions of liability – are evolving faster than regulatory systems can respond.

Perhaps the most significant challenge, however, is the growing skills gap. 

The cybersecurity workforce worldwide is already stretched thin. The introduction of AI demands even more specialised technical expertise. Without the right skills, organisations risk becoming dependent on systems they cannot fully understand, audit, or control.

This is why education must sit at the centre of our approach to AI and cybersecurity.

We need to invest in education at every level – primary, secondary, tertiary, and professional – to build a digitally literate society capable of navigating the opportunities and risks of emerging technologies. We need curricula that integrate AI, data science, and cybersecurity, not as optional subjects, but as foundational knowledge for future generations. We need continuous training for civil servants, private sector professionals, educators, and the broader public. And we need to create opportunities for young people – especially girls and underrepresented groups – to engage with STEM fields and pursue careers in technology and cybersecurity.

A society equipped with knowledge is a society equipped with resilience.

The UN system in Montenegro stands ready to support this agenda. We are committed to working with Government, academia, the private sector, civil society, and regional partners to strengthen digital governance, foster innovation, and build capacities that ensure AI is developed and used responsibly, ethically, and in full respect of human rights. Our collective goal must be to create an environment where AI contributes to security, prosperity, and trust – not fear or inequality.

To achieve this, we need robust guardrails, strong institutions, and transparent governance frameworks. But above all, we need an informed and empowered population. Education is our best defence and our most sustainable investment.

Let me conclude with this: AI will not slow down. The question is not whether these technologies will shape our societies, but how. And the “how” depends on the decisions we make today – together.

Thank you.