In the contemporary digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) can serve as both a guardian and a threat to personal data. AI technology holds the promise of enhanced security and efficiency. The proliferation of generative AI presents unique challenges that can compromise sensitive personal information. Not surprisingly, the McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook of July 2024 named generative AI at the top of 15 notable trends—with a spike of almost 700% in Google searches from 2022 to 2023, with applied AI and industrialized machine learning also named—but digital trust and cybersecurity is not far behind. This article explores the double-edged sword, the blessing and the curse, so common to the use of AI, in the context of personal data: 1) cybersecurity and the ransomware threat; 2) how AI can safeguard personal data, with innovative solutions that improve data protection; 3) AI and interoperability; 4) the risks, challenges, and positives associated with AI in protecting personal data; and finally, 5) the importance of creating a culture that understands these risks while exploring ways to mitigate them.