AI-Powered Cyberattacks: Emerging Threats and How to Defend Against Them

Artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming business – it’s transforming cybercrime. Cybercriminals and nation‑state actors are weaponizing AI to launch more sophisticated attacks, from deepfake scams to adaptive malware. As AI technologies like large language models and deep learning become ubiquitous, defenders must understand these emerging threats and adopt new defenses.

Emerging AI-related cyberthreats

• Deepfake impersonations and social engineering: AI-powered voice and video generators can convincingly mimic executives or family members. Attackers use them to request fraudulent wire transfers or capture sensitive information【641911059529799†L25-L37】【641911059529799†L68-L73】.
• AI-driven malware: Tools like Nytheon AI and WormGPT allow criminals to automatically generate polymorphic malware and phishing campaigns without coding expertise【641911059529799†L81-L87】.
• Cybercrime-as-a-service: The accessibility of AI models lowers the barrier to entry for cybercrime. Underground marketplaces offer AI-powered attack tools to non-experts【641911059529799†L34-L37】.
• Personalized phishing and BEC: Generative AI can craft convincing Business Email Compromise and scam pages tailored to individual victims, increasing success rates【641911059529799†L94-L104】.
• Automated reconnaissance and exploitation: Threat actors use AI for natural-language processing to mine open-source intelligence, automate target selection, and adapt malware in real time【641911059529799†L110-L143】.

Defensive strategies for an AI-powered threat landscape

• Strengthen authentication and identity verification: Implement multi-factor authentication and adopt identity verification procedures (call-back, in-person confirmation) to counter deepfake social engineering.
• Educate your workforce: Provide ongoing training to help employees recognize deepfakes, generative phishing, and BEC scams. Encourage skepticism and clear reporting channels.
• Invest in AI-driven security solutions: Use AI for good – leverage machine learning and behavioral analytics to detect anomalies, adaptive malware, and social engineering patterns quickly.
• Monitor the dark web and threat intelligence: Keep informed about emerging AI-enabled attack tools and services. Subscribe to threat intelligence feeds and security communities.
• Adopt zero-trust and least privilege: Limit the blast radius of a breach by segmenting networks and restricting user privileges. Regularly review access rights and remove unused accounts.
• Promote responsible AI use: If your organization develops or uses AI, implement security and ethical guidelines. Ensure models can’t be abused for code generation or evasion.

Conclusion

AI represents both opportunity and risk. Cybercriminals are already exploiting AI to craft more realistic scams and stealthy malware. By understanding these threats and embracing AI-enabled defense tools, organizations can stay one step ahead and harness AI’s power safely.

Sources

• [Emerging Trends in AI-Related Cyberthreats in 2025 – Rapid7]【641911059529799†L25-L37】【641911059529799†L68-L73】【641911059529799†L81-L87】【641911059529799†L94-L104】【641911059529799†L110-L143】.