ABSTRACT. Passwords are a fundamental barrier protecting our personal and professional security in today's digital world. They safeguard our online accounts, banking information, social networks, and vast amounts of sensitive data. However, passwords are often weak or easily exposed, making them prime targets for attacks. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed the methods hackers use to crack passwords, increasing the complexity of security challenges. AI enables more sophisticated, efficient, and adaptive attack techniques, posing new risks to individuals and organizations alike. This paper explores traditional password attack methods, the evolving role of AI in password cracking, its consequences, and effective defense strategies to mitigate these emerging threats.