Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity: The new digital challenge in the Dominican Republic
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has established itself as a driver of digital transformation, offering great opportunities for innovation in the Dominican Republic. However, this technological advancement also brings significant challenges, especially regarding the security and veracity of information in the digital environment.
The impact of deepfakes and disinformation
One of the greatest current challenges is the so-called deepfakes, tools capable of recreating voice and image with alarming precision. This phenomenon is already a tangible reality in the country. According to data from the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (Indotel), during storm Melisa in 2025, 67% of the visual content disseminated on social media turned out to be fake. This figure underscores how digital manipulation can be used to generate confusion during emergency situations.
Furthermore, authorities have warned that cybercrime is adopting more sophisticated mechanisms, using AI to enhance extortion and fraud schemes, which forces institutions and citizens to raise their prevention standards.
Concerns in the technology sector
- 56.3% of technology professionals point to AI-driven threat automation as their top cybersecurity concern.
- 19.6% of experts identify deepfakes as a critical threat to organizations.
- In sectors such as manufacturing, the perception of risk regarding these new technologies reaches up to 74.6%.
Deepfakes show how technological evolution invites us to also elevate our protection capabilities. For the Dominican Republic, this scenario represents an opportunity to strengthen the cybersecurity culture, improve verification processes, and prepare teams to identify manipulated content.
Leandro González, Product Marketing Manager at ESET Latin America.
Towards a more reliable digital environment
Beyond the risks, AI presents itself as a catalyst for fostering critical thinking and fact-checking. The adoption of clear policies, constant team training, and the implementation of transparency frameworks are fundamental steps to harness technological potential without compromising security.
International experience, such as guidelines on transparency in the use of synthetic content, suggests that education and technology must work hand in hand. Preparing now will allow Dominican organizations to navigate this new era with greater confidence, transforming cybersecurity challenges into a competitive advantage for the country.
