Cybersecurity & AI: Why the challenge is human, not technical

Growth and innovation no longer depend solely on new platforms or algorithms. Above all, they depend on the ability of people within organizations to adapt, learn, and master new digital skills. Today we see a clear contradiction: while training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data continues to grow, already accounting for nearly a fifth of digital learning hours, the job market remains focused on more traditional roles such as cybersecurity and network engineering, which account for more than half of digital jobs. In contrast, positions related to AI and machine learning barely exceed 1%. The gap is not in the available technology, but in how we are preparing people to use it.

Generative AI opens up a new frontier for growth. According to the World Economic Forum, it could increase global GDP by 7% over the next ten years, or nearly $7 trillion. But that potential quickly fades if we don’t have a workforce that understands AI, data, and cybersecurity. The United Nations (UN) defines it as capacity-building: strengthening skills, processes, and capabilities to survive and thrive in a world that is changing at a constant speed.

This is where the big challenge for organizations comes in: security can no longer be confined to a silo. When everyone in the company knows how to recognize a phishing attempt or is suspicious of an AI-manipulated video, the entire organization becomes more cyber resilient. Cybersecurity and AI literacy can no longer be the exclusive domain of specialists. Cybersecurity is a public good, the foundation of economic trust and social stability. And like any public good, it requires cooperation from all parties involved.

Investing in skills, sharing knowledge, and embracing diversity is not social responsibility: it is a strategic decision. Defenses built on limited perspectives are fragile. The talent deficit is global and alarming: by 2030, there could be a shortage of more than 85 million workers, which would translate into $8.5 trillion in revenue that will never be generated.

Furthermore, talented individuals today have options. They choose where to work and why to do so. That is why the sector needs to showcase careers that are meaningful, have social impact, and offer diverse paths. And although cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, it cannot rely solely on the final user. The response must be collective, involving companies, governments, and communities.

This involves linguistic accessibility, community building, and visible role models. Creating spaces for new voices, exercises such as regional Capture The Flag (CTFs), safe learning spaces, global mentoring programs, and platforms where leadership has a real presence.

At Batuta, we promote and collaborate with various organizations to close the skills gap through programs that provide tools and skills to young people. The message is simple and urgent: organizations, it’s time to act. Train talent, evaluate skills with clear criteria, collaborate, and lead cultural change. Technology is already here. The real question is whether our people will catch up and move forward with it.