Next-Generation Security in the 6G Era: The Role of AI in Safeguarding Future Networks

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into sixth-generation (6G) networks is a foundational requirement for achieving unprecedented performance, but it also introduces a sophisticated threat landscape that legacy security frameworks cannot address. This paper presents a comprehensive review of this dual role of AI, analyzing its potential to both compromise and safeguard future networks. Since AI has the ability to both protect and compromise security and privacy, its implementation with 6G technology may sometimes be a double-edged sword. The primary objective of this survey is to systematically analyze existing research that integrates AI techniques into 6G architectures, focusing on their implications for security and privacy. Among the concerns being investigated is the fundamental privacy and security risk associated with 6G technologies. Therefore, in order to incorporate and confirm this foundational research as a platform for future research, we have developed a review on the specifics of 6G security and privacy. The methodology involves reviewing recent academic and industrial studies related to AI-enabled 6G frameworks, threat models, and defense mechanisms, with an emphasis on how AI contributes to intrusion detection, authentication, and privacy preservation. This paper begins with a historical analysis of previous networking technologies and how they impacted contemporary 6G networking improvements. Therefore, this article discusses extensively the aspects that have rendered 6G technology relevant as well as the ongoing 6G-based projects. In addition, it identifies and critically evaluates key enabling technologies, including distributed ledger technology (DLT/blockchain), physical layer security (PLS), terahertz (THz) communication, quantum computing, visible light communication (VLC), and distributed AI/ML, that underpin secure 6G environments. The paper concludes by summarizing open challenges, future research opportunities, and potential pathways for building trustworthy AI-driven 6G systems.