Acting in Self-Defense – Communications of the ACM
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a potent force multiplier for the criminal underground. Generative models can write immaculate prose, mimic voices, and chain exploits together, lowering the cost of sophisticated attacks.
AI “will exacerbate the threat of cyberattacks [by making] people who are less sophisticated actually better at doing some of the things they want to do.” - Jen Easterly, former Director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
The first quarter of 2025 saw a 126% surge in ransomware incidents, followed by high-impact attacks on high-profile brands, including British retail institutions and global logistics operators.
Author's summary: AI increases cybercrime threat.