In recent years, the world has witnessed rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, which have become an essential part of various sectors, including education, healthcare, banking, communications, and government institutions. Despite the significant benefits that AI provides in data analysis, pattern recognition, and decision-making, this development has also been accompanied by new challenges in the field of cybersecurity. This has created a dual relationship between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, combining both protection and threats. Artificial intelligence represents an effective tool for enhancing cybersecurity, as it can be used to analyze massive volumes of data and detect abnormal behaviors that may indicate a cyberattack. Intelligent systems can also continuously monitor networks, identify suspicious activities, and assist in the early detection of malware and intrusion attempts. This contributes to reducing the time required to respond to security incidents and enhances organizations’ ability to protect their systems and sensitive information. On the other hand, attackers can exploit artificial intelligence to develop more sophisticated methods of conducting cyberattacks. Intelligent technologies can be used to create more convincing phishing messages, analyze potential targets, and automate certain operations that previously required human intervention. Furthermore, the widespread use of content-generation technologies has made it increasingly difficult to distinguish authentic content from manipulated or fabricated content, creating a growing challenge for both organizations and individuals. One of the most prominent challenges facing cybersecurity in the age of artificial intelligence is social engineering-based attacks. Cyberattacks no longer rely solely on exploiting technical vulnerabilities; they increasingly target the human element as well. Attackers can create messages and content that appear to originate from trusted individuals or organizations with the aim of obtaining passwords or sensitive information. Therefore, relying solely on technical solutions is insufficient. It must be accompanied by increasing users’ security awareness and providing continuous training to help them identify and respond to cyber threats. Securing AI systems themselves is also an important challenge. The models and datasets used for training can be manipulated or exploited, potentially compromising the reliability and security of AI-based systems. Therefore, it has become essential to adopt the principle of Security by Design, ensuring that security is an integral part of the system development lifecycle rather than an additional measure implemented after development is complete. In the university environment specifically, there is a growing need to strengthen cybersecurity due to the increasing reliance on electronic systems, educational platforms, and databases. Universities can benefit from artificial intelligence in monitoring systems and detecting unusual activities, while ensuring the protection of students’ and faculty members’ data and preventing the misuse of information. Addressing modern cyber threats requires an integrated strategy that combines technology, security policies, human training, and legal regulations. Institutions should also adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA), continuous system updates, regular backups, vulnerability assessments, and continuous network monitoring, alongside promoting cybersecurity awareness and a strong security culture among users.