As artificial intelligence rapidly advances, its role in decentralized finance (DeFi) is shifting from a supportive tool to a potential attack vector. Scenarios where AI systems learn to 'hack' DeFi protocols are no longer theoretical—they are becoming real threats. The DeFi ecosystem, with its open and permissionless nature, has always been a prime target for security breaches, and the integration of AI significantly raises the complexity and automation of attack vectors. Yet this escalation is not entirely negative; it is simultaneously spurring a defense revolution that rewrites the rulebook of security.
In this cat-and-mouse game, new intelligent audit tools, adaptive risk control protocols, and AI-powered monitoring systems are being developed to counter AI-driven attacks with more advanced algorithms. At the same time, a wave of startups and open-source projects dedicated to AI security defense is emerging, using machine learning models to detect anomalous transactions in real time, predict exploit patterns, and block attacks before they occur. This shift not only forces protocol developers to reexamine code security but also pushes the entire ecosystem toward a more proactive and intelligent defense posture.