The International Symposium “AI Challenges and Threats in Cybersecurity” (IS-AICTC’26) was held on September 8, 2026, at the premises of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republic of Srpska, bringing together distinguished experts in the fields of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

The Symposium was organized by the University of Banja Luka, the Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republic of Srpska, and the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Banja Luka, with the aim of exchanging knowledge and experience on contemporary challenges arising from the development of artificial intelligence in the field of cybersecurity.

Addressing the participants, Acting Rector of the University of Banja Luka Prof. Ranko Škrbić, PhD, emphasized that holding such an event was important for connecting the domestic academic community with experts from the region and around the world.

“This is another way in which we promote the activities of the University, the Academy of Sciences and Arts and, in general, the scientific community of the Republic of Srpska. The contacts we establish are precisely the way to better promote our work and try to position the University in the rankings of universities,” Prof. Škrbić said, speaking also on behalf of the Academy.

Chair of the Symposium Organizing Committee Prof. Dragan Korać, PhD, assessed that IS-AICTC’26 represented a major step forward in developing scientific cooperation and exchanging knowledge in the fields of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

“The reason for this is the participation of Professor Choo, who, in my opinion, is one of the leading experts in the field of cybersecurity,” Korać said.

He noted that it was possible to influence the real world through actions originating in the digital world, citing as an example smart devices people have in their homes, which an attacker could take control of through cyberattacks and thereby influence their operation.

The Symposium was also attended by Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska Prof. Željko Budimir, PhD, who emphasized the importance of developing modern technologies and their application in the security system. He noted that the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska was following contemporary technological trends and was developing and planning to use certain language models that could be of benefit to employees in this sector.

Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska Prof. Draga Mastilović, PhD, emphasized that artificial intelligence was increasingly becoming part of everyday life across all sectors.

“We must keep pace with technological progress and with what the most advanced countries are achieving in this field. However, it is also important to discuss where the limits lie, and when artificial intelligence threatens an individual’s privacy and society. That is why the issue of cybersecurity is extremely important,” Mastilović said.

He emphasized that the relevant ministry had launched a program of increased investment in scientific and technological development and that construction of the first science and technology park in the Republic of Srpska would begin this year.

“This year, funding for scientific research has been increased by BAM 2 million, and this amount will be several times higher next year, reaching approximately BAM 10 million,” Mastilović emphasized.

Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo, Cloud Tech Endowed Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies at the School of AI, Cyber and Computing at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said that people were not aware of how much data about them was being collected or whether such data could be misused.

He emphasized that cybersecurity knew neither national nor state borders and that it was therefore important to have regulations in place to protect such data.

During the Symposium, Prof. Kim-Kwang Raymond Choo was presented with the Decision appointing him as a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics of the University of Banja Luka.

The Symposium was organized as part of the celebrations marking 50 years of the successful work and development of the University of Banja Luka and 30 years of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, with the significant anniversaries of these higher education institutions also being marked through the organization of an international scientific event dedicated to one of the most important fields of contemporary science and technology.

Holding this Symposium represents an important step toward strengthening the international visibility of the University of Banja Luka and positioning it as a regional center for the development and application of AI technologies in cybersecurity.

At the same time, IS-AICTC’26 further confirms the role of the University of Banja Luka as a place that brings together the academic community, institutions, and international partners in a field that will be increasingly important for the future of the digital society.

Photo: D. Desnica