Riyadh Hosts Global Cybersecurity Forum Highlighting AI's Role in Defense
The Black Hat MEA conference in Riyadh has become a central hub for cybersecurity experts, with thousands of specialists, founders, and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) gathering to address the rapidly evolving threat landscape. The event featured high-pressure intelligence sharing, live simulations, and the world's largest Capture the Flag (CTF) competition. Discussions focused on the rapid expansion of attack surfaces, the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on decision-making processes, and the fragility of supply chains. Anne Marie Zettlemoyer from the National Security Institute emphasized AI's transition from an emerging concept to a critical infrastructure component. The conference also explored the evolving role of CISOs and the importance of disciplined processes and investments in AI-era defense.