Introduction

The CyberPeace Foundation and DELNET jointly organised a One-Day Seminar on Cyber Resilience and AI Safety: Cybersecurity Challenges and Solutions for Institutions. Held on Librarians’ Day and International Youth Day, the event underscored the vital role of the knowledge ecosystem and youth in creating a safer digital future for all.

In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming governance, academia, industry, and everyday life, its misuse in deepfakes, automated phishing, data poisoning, and misinformation campaigns has amplified the urgency for coordinated safety and governance measures.

The seminar also marked the launch of the Cyber First Responder Initiative (CFRI), a capacity-building program aimed at equipping institutions and individuals with the skills to respond swiftly and effectively to cyber threats.

Background and Rationale

AI offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and knowledge creation. However, it also introduces complex challenges: AI-driven cyber threats, intellectual property risks, mass surveillance, and manipulation of public discourse.

The convergence of AI and cybersecurity demands a multi-stakeholder approach — involving technical experts, policymakers, educators, industry leaders, and law enforcement agencies — to identify risks, develop skills, and implement robust governance mechanisms.

Recognising this need, the seminar convened high-level participants to:

• Explore AI’s risks and opportunities in cybersecurity and related domains.
  
  
• Address sector-specific challenges such as safeguarding research, combating AI-enabled cybercrime, and building public trust.
  
  
• Foster collaborative initiatives, including the CFRI for DELNET member institutions.

Participation 

The event drew participation from 70 registered attendees in person and over 450 online registrations from across India and countries, including Bhutan, Oman, Sri Lanka, the UAE, and the USA. The audience comprised law enforcement officials, academicians, industry leaders, policymakers, and cybersecurity practitioners.
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Key Takeaways

1. Institutional AI Governance
   
   • Establish AI ethics review boards and risk assessment mechanisms in academic and research institutions.
   • Implement policies for insider threat mitigation, IP protection, and responsible AI use.
2. AI Literacy & Ethical Use
   
   • Train faculty, students, and researchers on AI’s capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations.
   • Encourage AI use in teaching and curriculum development rather than as a substitute for original research.
3. Cross-Sector Regulatory Coordination
   
   • Align guidelines across CERT-In, RBI, SEBI, and other regulators to ensure comprehensive AI-cybersecurity coverage.
4. Proactive AI Risk Classification
   
   • Adopt a risk-based classification of AI systems to prioritize security measures for high-risk applications.
5. Public Awareness and Safety Practices
   
   • Promote awareness of AI-related threats like deepfakes, misinformation, and AI-powered fraud among the general public and LEAs.
6. Indigenous AI Development
   
   • Invest in AI models that address India-specific needs while ensuring security, transparency, and accountability.
   • Support indigenous AI model development by creating avenues for academia and small and medium enterprises to collaborate. 

Acknowledgments 

CybrePeace and DELNET extend their warmest gratitude to all speakers, panelists, and participants whose insights and expertise made this seminar a truly enriching and thought-provoking exchange.

We thank Maj Vineet Kumar, Global CEO and Founder, CyberPeace Foundation, and Dr Sangeeta Kaul, Director, DELNET, for their vision, guidance, and steadfast support in conceptualising and hosting this event. 

Special appreciation is due to all distinguished speakers and panel moderators for their valuable contributions across sessions, and to the institutional partners whose collaboration ensured the success of this initiative. We also acknowledge the efforts of the organising teams at CyberPeace Foundation and DELNET, whose coordination, logistical support, and commitment to detail enabled a seamless experience for all attendees.

Finally, we express our thanks to the participants for their engagement and thought-provoking questions, which enriched the discussions and reinforced the shared commitment to building a safer, more resilient digital future.

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