While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a part of our tech landscape for several years, it wasn’t until last year, with the launch of ChatGPT, that the term truly gained popularity and started dominating conversations. Since then, “Artificial Intelligence” has become a buzzword, featured prominently on numerous websites and applications, even when there’s little actual AI involved.
AI has the potential to significantly enhance daily productivity, particularly in operating systems and applications. Examples like Windows Copilot and Copilot for Microsoft 365 illustrate the possibilities this technology offers.
However, the realm of AI extends beyond these examples. Malware has plagued computing since well before the Internet era. Cybercriminals continuously adapt and devise new methods to infect computers, whether for remote control or data theft.
Given the critical nature of this sector and its countless variables, it was only a matter of time before Artificial Intelligence made its way into this software category. While Windows Defender suffices for most users, some remain skeptical of Microsoft’s solution and opt for third-party antivirus tools. These tools have already begun incorporating AI to enhance their effectiveness, both in predicting potential threats and scanning devices.
Antivirus software enriched with AI has the potential to significantly improve the background analysis processes on computers. This is achieved by performing these processes in the cloud, reducing the consumption of local computer resources. Traditional antivirus software can be resource-intensive due to continual computer scanning. AI’s introduction to antivirus programs is promising in this regard.
Furthermore, in addition to daily updates for known viruses, users will also gain protection against all types of threats, including the most dangerous ones like zero-day threats or those that don’t even exist yet but can be predicted by AI.
Phishing and other common threats may soon become relics of the past thanks to AI’s proactive detection of suspicious URLs, whether by clicking on them or preemptively identifying them when the mouse hovers over a link, safeguarding even the most unsuspecting users.
Most antivirus companies are already in the process of implementing AI into their malware analysis applications. It’s highly likely that before the year’s end, this technology will be readily available in leading antivirus programs on the market.