Integrating Blockchain with AI for Secure Data Management in the Cloud

Abstract

In the era of digital transformation, cloud computing has become a fundamental pillar for data storage, accessibility, and scalability across industries. Despite its advantages, cloud computing introduces a range of vulnerabilities related to data security, privacy, and integrity. To mitigate these concerns, integrating Blockchain Technology (BCT) with Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents a novel and robust solution. Blockchain offers a decentralized, transparent, and immutable ledger system, ensuring that data remains secure and tamper-proof. On the other hand, AI brings intelligent capabilities such as anomaly detection, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics that can proactively identify and mitigate potential security threats. This paper explores the synergistic integration of blockchain and AI for secure data management in cloud environments. It provides a detailed overview of existing research, evaluates current frameworks, and highlights how combining these technologies can significantly enhance data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. A conceptual framework is proposed that utilizes blockchain for secure data storage and access control through smart contracts, while AI modules are employed to analyse stored data, detect anomalies, and optimize security protocols dynamically. The research also examines real-world applications, case studies, and technological challenges such as scalability, latency, energy consumption, and regulatory compliance. By analysing these aspects, the paper identifies gaps in current implementations and suggests future directions for more effective integration. The findings support the premise that the convergence of blockchain and AI represents a transformative approach to securing data in cloud infrastructures, offering both theoretical insight and practical guidance for researchers, developers, and security professionals