{
  "id": 17214476,
  "title": "cyberattacks caused by AI",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/cyberattacks-caused-by-ai",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-30T11:06:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Rest of World",
    "slug": "restofworld",
    "url": "https://elink32b.restofworld.org/ss/c/u001.wqTatvCe1uEimPApFRU3vFduVjiFuG_K8CXAMZILUNtgTqs-C-P6vF6i-L_j0LQmpsOSk20JD9R-3bhPI_3EsXOYUWfWCO5btXoAKdNZb1ABVAJH2POPW87WLFoaIyRg9nm_guxLfkcmWLvG1Wa2hcAyd3RdzTQ2-S0Ul6d32ptFXL-Lo_jqNTsM09CMTpEfKQboK75ng4X0ejayvq-rJO0KFIl1RCNm7Cu9GUULmN_0lUnATyiO6awbkUXcFUeucbswBSfpTVZbkBbgvR9uWHq9DaXTP8vx-aSLpn0XiyDHxyo0ZY1e6SMiyMA_vFz_/4vb/_92NPFM4SlqqG0HIgnXVdg/h2/h001.5-kZQUzWeWFb2ZLeHG9ip2FJoYUV7UrjblBzPGqtyLQ"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cyberattacks worldwide have surged, with AI-enabled entities increasing attacks by 89% in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. AI agents can identify and exploit software vulnerabilities more effectively than most humans, facilitating attacks on people, companies, and national infrastructure with greater ease and affordability. This trend is not equally distributed; widely used software, often American, is quickly patched and thus less at risk, whereas proprietary offerings, common in digital sovereignty initiatives, struggle to patch vulnerabilities swiftly. Since the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT, criminals have expedited their operations by using AI tools to craft phishing emails, deepfake videos, voice clones, and malware. AI is also employed to locate vulnerabilities and exploit them rapidly and cost-effectively.\n\nCyberattacks have been a concern for several years, but the introduction of advanced AI systems like Anthropic's Mythos Preview has introduced a new dimension to this issue. Mythos can discover thousands of vulnerabilities in major operating systems and web browsers. However, only about 40 tech firms and institutions have access to this powerful tool. This limited access leaves many central banks, governments, and other entities vulnerable, as they rely on companies such as Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google for cybersecurity. The rapid spread of AI-enhanced cyberattacks is alarming, with attacks now often initiated long before they are publicly disclosed, sometimes within hours of a security patch's release. The model's ability to reverse-engineer patches, identify vulnerabilities, and generate weaponized exploits in minutes poses a significant threat to organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to hospitals and government organizations.\n\nThe consequences of these AI-driven attacks extend beyond the breached entities. When a small business, hospital, or government agency suffers a breach due to an inability to afford adequate security solutions, the damage ripples through their customers, partners, and supply chains. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that must work for everyone, not just the most affluent organizations. Security gaps are particularly pronounced in regions with a limited number of cybersecurity professionals and resources, such as the Asia-Pacific region, where the Philippines, Taiwan, and India are frequent targets. Additionally, there is a significant gap in capacity, talent, tools, and budget to build cyber resilience between nations. Even well-resourced companies face challenges due to the emergence of new vulnerabilities caused by AI, often referred to as the \"AI bugocalypse.\" Organizations must prepare for the possibility of system compromises, implement necessary protections, and plan for resilience, including backups.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "AI-enabled cyberattacks increased by 89% in 2025",
    "AI tools used for phishing, deepfakes, malware, and vulnerability discovery",
    "Limited access to advanced AI tools leaves many vulnerable entities exposed"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The rapid automation of vulnerability discovery shifts the advantage to attackers, leaving organizations that rely on slower proprietary software or limited security budgets increasingly exposed to sophisticated, AI-driven exploitation.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}