Article Review #1: Connecting AI, Cybercrime, and the Social Sciences
Introduction:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a tool meant to develop machines and systems to be able to complete tasks usually based on “perception, reasoning, learning, decision-making, and problem solving” (Shetty, S.). With AI’s advancements, cybercriminals have discovered a way to use this tool to perform malicious operations such as phishing emails and malware codes. This research will explore the social sciences’ effect on AI and its connection with cybercrime.
The social sciences effect:
“What important things might people miss when the media talks about AI, especially regarding staying safe online and how AI affects our daily lives? How are perspectives and attitudes towards AI usage evolving?” (Shetty, S.) With so many uprising questions and concerns, it is evident to see AI’s increasing importance in numerous industries, including cybersecurity. Even though artificial intelligence has its positives, it is important to understand how cybercriminals are misusing it and creating victims out of it. The social sciences provide evidence as to why cybercriminals insist on performing such actions, arising predominantly from social and economic factors. A lot of cybercriminals come from a background of “poverty, unemployment, or income inequality” (Shetty, S.) leading to the motivation for illegal gains. The political aspect of cybercrime is “reflected in the regulation and intervention measures of governments in preventing and controlling cybercrime, such as legal system construction, government efficiency, control of corruption, and political stability” (Chen, S.). The political aspect is introduced when cybercriminals examine which elected official will be more lenient with them and their penalties, if convicted. As with any crime, the absence of social control or sufficient punishment methods leads to engagement in criminal behaviors.
Background of Study:
Methods: The studied research used quantitative and qualitative methods to “examine the role of artificial intelligence in facilitating cybercrime activities across the clearer web and dark web” (Shetty, S.).
Data collection: The study collected 102 prompts with malicious use of AI within it, from the dark and clear web. Their records show the input software used, like ChatGPT, and screenshots of the prompts, as well. Additionally, numerous clear and dark web online forums were inspected for discussions, based on prompts generated by AI for malicious uses.
Analysis: The Cyber Routine Activities Theory (RAT) shows that when a user is online indulging in risky behavior, without any knowledgeable leadership, they are more likely to be targeted, leading to cybercrime victimization. The study suggests that reducing cybercrime victimization is efficiently achieved by practicing safe online behaviors, enhanced guardianship, and cybersecurity measures.
Related class concepts:
Four concepts, from CYSE 201S, that relate to this topic are: the economic system being driven by technology, the criminal justice system developing new ways to respond to crime, the political system passing new laws to address technology, and new types of crime and security issues arising from technology. It is apparent that the economic system is being driven by technology due to advancements in AI and the continuation of technology shaping industries and markets. The criminal justice system developing new ways to respond to crime can be in direct correlation with technology changing the way we view and operate as a society. In a world where technology is growing as an everyday use for everyone, it is important that the political system passes new laws to address technology, so it will not be misused, be used for financial gain, or be used to harm others. This also goes along with new types of crime and security issues arising from technology.
Marginalized Groups:
Marginalized groups can face problems unlike any other group when it comes to AI and its connection to cybercrime. Cybercriminals may be more attentive to these groups because of their, possible, lack of knowledge or technology accessibility. By including these groups in the attempts of addressing cybercrime, we can create more inclusive systems for the protection of everyone within society.
Contribution of study to society:
2 contributions of the social sciences’ effect on AI and its connection to cybercrime to society are: improved security measures and informed policy making. If we can understand cybercriminals and their patterns, we can develop security measures within AI and respond or prevent cybercrime more effectively. This gives people within the cyber field the opportunity to protect society from potential and harmful threats. By studying AI and cybercrime, social scientists can help assist in the making of laws that will ensure the ethical use of technology and protect the privacy of individuals in society. This gives everyone an opportunity to use technologies in a safe and protected environment.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Artificial intelligence is a development tool for machines and systems to complete given tasks. Cybercriminals have discovered different ways to misuse AI and perform malicious operations. This research explored the involvement of the social sciences on Ai and its connections to cybercrime. The social sciences gave background evidence as to why cybercriminals perform such actions, and the contributions of this study allowed readers to understand the improvement of security measures and informed policy making within society. As technology usage rises, it is only right that the protection against the individuals misusing it rises too.
References
- Shetty, S., Choi, K.-S., & Park, I. (n.d.). Investigating the intersection of AI and cybercrime: Risks, trends, and countermeasures. Virtual Commons – Bridgewater State University. https://vc.bridgew.edu/ijcic/vol7/iss2/3/
- Chen, S., Hao, M., Ding, F., Jiang, D., Dong, J., Zhang, S., Guo, Q., & Gao, C. (2023). Exploring the global geography of cybercrime and its driving forces. Humanities & social sciences communications, 10(1), 71. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01560-x
Article Review #2: Cyberbullying based on College Students
Introduction
The use of technology has become a major part of our everyday lives. As the usage of technology grows, so does the number of individuals falling victim to cyberbullying. Victims may be afraid to speak out about this topic on their own, so it is essential that awareness is brought to this awful act, affecting a lot of individuals negatively on a daily basis.
Relation to the social sciences
Cyberbullying has a lot of relations to different social science disciplines. Psychologists focus on the emotional and psychological effects of victims. Criminologists study how laws address online harassment. Public health and social work professionals look to study cyberbullying’s social impact and provide victims with the necessary support. Overall, the social sciences provide different perspectives on understanding and addressing the unfortunate effects of cyberbullying.
Study research hypothesis
“This study supported the hypothesis that students’ cyberbullying victimization could lead to cyberbullicide and in the least scenario to cyberbullicide ideation”. Cyberbullicide is a term that describes suicide in direct correlation to cyberbullying. This study examined all the effects of cyberbullying variables such as cyberbullying victimization, cyberbullying perpetrator, and low-self-control on cyberbullicide ideation.
Research methods used
In this study, research was collected by surveying undergraduate students from different colleges. “Less than 10% of the sample (9.3%) reported knowledge about cyberbullying, and (35.8%) reported it outside the university campus”.
Analyzing Data
Analyzing the data consisted of using descriptive statistical analyses and logistic regression analysis. “Around a quarter of the sample (26%) were exposed to bullying, 9% knew victims of bullying on the university campus, and 365 outside the campus. Around a quarter (26%) of the sample experienced violence”.
In class correlation
Cybercrime and cyberbullying both intend to put individuals or groups of people in an uneasy state of mind. Cybercrime is typically based on the motivation of money or harming someone. Cyberbullying, similarly, is typically based on an individual trying to harm someone without ever coming in direct contact with that person.
Another class discussed concept with a relation to cyberbullying is sociology. Sociology is defined as “the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior”. This is in direct correlation with cyberbullying because it is the study of consequential human behaviors. Cyberbullying is a topic that can be viewed from many different perspectives, but it all boils down to being a harmful act that damages other individuals mentally, and possibly physically.
Effects on marginalized groups
Marginalized groups typically face cyberbullying based on race, gender, or differences, all possibly leading to increasing depression and anxiety. Even still, marginalized groups play a huge role in creating effective and culturally sensitive responses to cyberbullying.
Contributions of study to society
Cyberbullying contributes to society by emphasizing the importance of ethical responsibilities of digital platforms, the need for stronger online safety measures, and the impact of online interactions on mental well-being. Even while cyberbullying frequently has negative effects, the problem has sparked a positive change socially by pointing attention to mental health, online rights, and the need for safe online environments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cyberbullying continues to be a societal issue seen from multiple views of psychology, criminology, sociology, and public health. Cyberbullicide is a newly described word that should emphasize the importance of cyberbullying prevention and cyberbullying as a whole. Based on the collected data, we are able to identify the need for things like stronger online safety measures and support systems for victims. As our digital world continues to grow and expand, it is important as a society to put a stop to cyberbullying, for the sake of people who have already fallen victim and to create a safer environment to stop adding names to that list.
References
International Journal of Cyber Criminology. (n.d.). https://cybercrimejournal.com/menuscript/index.php/cybercrimejournal/article/view/176