The Role of Generative AI in Offensive and Defensive Cyber Operations

Abstract

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in cybersecurity, reshaping both offensive and defensive operations. By leveraging models capable of creating realistic data, simulations, and adaptive attack or defense strategies, Generative AI introduces new paradigms in digital warfare and protection. Offensive applications include automated phishing, deepfake generation, and polymorphic malware creation, while defensive uses involve synthetic data generation for threat modeling, deception technologies, and automated vulnerability patching. This dual-use nature of Generative AI presents a paradox—enhancing system resilience while simultaneously introducing novel attack vectors. The integration of large language models (LLMs), generative adversarial networks (GANs), and diffusion models within cybersecurity infrastructures enables predictive, adaptive, and autonomous responses to complex threats. However, ethical, regulatory, and operational challenges persist, especially concerning attribution, accountability, and misuse prevention. This paper explores the evolving landscape of Generative AI in cyber operations, assessing its implications for future cyber defense frameworks and digital warfare ethics.