How Gen Z Hackers Could Become the Next Line of Cyber Defense – The National Interest

How Gen Z Hackers Could Become the Next Line of Cyber Defense  The National Interest

The Hacking Games CEO Fergus Hay explains how AI, young hackers, and hybrid warfare are reshaping cybersecurity and national defense. The word “HACKED” appears in a colorful digital glitch effect against a dark background. AI is making powerful hacking tools more accessible as cyber threats become increasingly intertwined with national security. (Shutterstock/SkillUp) The Attack That Doesn’t Trigger Article 5 (w/ Ferg | RSS.com Cybersecurity has entered a new era. Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing what hackers can do, while cyberattacks are increasingly blurring the line between crime and geopolitical conflict. At the same time, a generation raised on technology is coming of age with unprecedented access to powerful digital tools. That creates new risks—but also new opportunities for governments and businesses confronting a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

In this episode of the Three Questions podcast, Center for the National Interest President Paul Saunders speaks with Fergus Hay, co-founder and CEO of The Hacking Games, about how hacking has evolved, where AI fits into the picture, and the role of young hackers in national security. Hay challenges the idea that hacking is inherently malicious. He argues that the same mindset used to find and exploit vulnerabilities has also been a source of technological innovation—and could play an important role in strengthening cyber defenses. The pair also discuss the challenges facing business