Abstract
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) is increasingly becoming a significant factor in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity professionals are integrating GAI into their operations, but this integration brings important ethical issues related to fairness, transparency, and accountability, which are often obscured by the opaque nature of these technologies. To understand how GAI tools can enhance the productivity of cybersecurity practitioners, this study explores their application of GAI and their cognitions during its use. We conducted a pilot study to observe how these professionals employed GAI for problem-solving. Our initial findings indicate that there are tensions between user autonomy and automation reliance. Cybersecurity professionals navigate these tensions by retaining control over GAI for complex tasks while leveraging automation for simpler ones. Future research will delve deeper into these dynamics to provide more insightful conclusions.
Recommended Citation
Kam, Hwee-joo; Zhong, Chen; Johnston, Allen; and Soliman, Wael, "Generative AI and Cybersecurity: An Activity Theory Perspective" (2025). SIGHCI 2024 Proceedings. 14.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/sighci2024/14
