As artificial intelligence reshapes everything from customer service to research and development, the digital threat landscape is shifting fast, and not always in the way one would expect. For cybersecurity expert and veteran Cordell Robinson, the most dangerous threat in the new era isn’t AI itself.
It’s humans themselves.
“The biggest cyber threat today isn’t machine learning; it’s the culture of instant gratification that drives human behavior online,” says this Brownstone Consulting Firm (BCF) founder. “We post without thinking, click impulsively, and feed sensitive data into AI tools without understanding the consequences. We are our own worst enemy.”
Robinson is no stranger to foresight. A veteran turned software engineer and lawyer, he founded BCF in 2010 after realizing that the intersection of cybersecurity and law would become the battleground for the next generation of threats. He was right. Since launching his Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Minority Business Enterprise, BCF has secured data for governing bodies, insurance firms, and pharmaceutical companies.
Now, as AI becomes embedded in daily business operations, from chatbots to fraud detection, Robinson is raising the alarm: People are placing too much trust in tools they barely understand. He states, “Everyone wants to be the first to market with their AI-powered product, but they’re not thinking about the implications. The second you input sensitive data into a public model, it’s out there. We’ve got to stop treating cybersecurity like an afterthought.”
Robinson’s concerns are backed by hard data. According to the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), social engineering and data breaches dominated cyber incidents in Europe’s financial sector last year, with 39% targeting credit institutions. In Africa, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported a 14% surge in spyware attacks on businesses.
From ransomware crippling hospitals to threat actors exploiting AI for phishing and fraud, the landscape is no longer about brute force; it’s about psychological manipulation, scale, and speed.
“I’ve seen people post confidential work updates on social media, click malware-laced emails out of habit, or feed trade secrets into generative AI platforms. All of these are breaches waiting to happen, not because of bad tools, but because of careless behavior,” Robinson says.
BCF’s cybersecurity model is grounded in proactive protection. Robinson trains his teams and clients to ask one question before they act: Would you want this to be your personal data out in the world? “Treat every piece of information as if it’s your bank account number,” he says.
Protection starts with awareness, says Robinson. His Shaping Futures Foundation in Tanzania underscores his commitment to digital literacy and ethical AI use, especially in developing economies like Africa, where cyber infrastructure is growing but often underfunded.
“Africa’s going to be a tech superpower. But we have to do it right. And that means education,” he says. “We need to train people how to use AI as a tool, not as a shortcut. Because when used recklessly, it’s dangerous.”
That’s why Robinson is building a new AI-assisted cybersecurity tool, not to replace humans, but to empower them. The platform will help cybersecurity professionals assess vulnerabilities, ensure regulatory compliance, and interpret threats with speed and precision, without cutting corners.
“This tool is about amplifying human intelligence, not replacing it,” he explains. “AI is powerful, but it needs guidance. And cybersecurity professionals are the guardians.”
Robinson has seen firsthand how breaches unravel years of innovation. One pharmaceutical client nearly lost millions in R&D when their unprotected systems came under threat. “We’re talking about medications that save lives,” he says. “If that data leaks, not only is the money gone, but people could suffer. That’s how high the stakes are.”
And it’s not just big companies. Individuals face financial ruin, identity theft, and even physical danger when health data or personal details are exposed. “Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue; it’s a human issue,” Robinson says. “If you don’t understand what’s at stake, you’re not protecting your organization. You’re gambling with it.”
As BCF expands internationally into Europe and Africa, Robinson’s mission is clear: Protect systems. Educate users. Combat human error with human insight and just enough AI. “Cyber threats are evolving. But so are we,” he says. “It’s time to stop being reactive. Let’s start thinking before we act. That’s how we build a safer digital world.”
