Experts called for a stronger global response and the balanced regulation of emerging technology at the international discussion forum

Cybersecurity and artificial intelligence were named critical to the future development of global society at the latest session of the Dialog international discussion club, which was held in the Russian city of Vladimir.

The meeting took place on Saturday at the campus of the Russian Presidential Academy in Vladimir, where Vyacheslav Kartukhin, the head of the institution, addressed attendees. The event brought together representatives from academia, the IT sector, and government agencies.

The first panel examined who ultimately governs the digital space - artificial intelligence or humans - and whether regulation can be introduced without restricting freedoms.

"Fraudsters operate with increasing sophistication across countries, and cybercrime schemes change constantly, so it is crucial to share expertise," said Kartukhin, who is also the president of the club.

Elina Sidorenko, a member of the Russian presidential human rights council, said AI-driven cyber offenses are rising sharply worldwide. "Today AI makes it easier to carry out illegal activity and accelerates criminal intent many times over," she added.

According to Interpol's 2024 Global Cybercrime Assessment, worldwide financial losses from cybercrime exceeded $13 trillion, with AIassisted attacks among the fastest-growing threats. The EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) reported a 35% rise in AI-driven phishing and deepfake fraud over the past year. Beyond financial losses, cyber incidents increasingly target critical infrastructure, healthcare, and government services.

Sidorenko said the discussion club was becoming an important platform for international experts to address complex issues and develop approaches to cybersecurity. She added that Russia had long pushed for stronger international cooperation and pointed to the UN Convention on Cybercrime, signed in late October in Hanoi, Vietnam as a confirmation of that effort.

The convention, drafted with Russia's involvement, is reportedly the first global agreement aimed at preventing, investigating and combating cybercrime.

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Founded in November 2022, Dialog serves as an international forum for discussing social, economic, humanitarian, scientific, educational, and cultural issues. Its members include public figures, academics, and experts from Russia, China, India, Central Asia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and several African countries.