Google Warns AI Is Powering a New Era of Cyberattacks

Google has warned that artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the cybersecurity landscape, with threat actors increasingly using AI to make cyber operations faster and more scalable. The company’s threat-intelligence researchers have observed AI being incorporated into activities ranging from reconnaissance and information gathering to other stages of cyber operations.

The warning reflects a broader shift in cybersecurity. Instead of AI being used only by highly skilled attackers, increasingly capable AI systems can lower some of the barriers to carrying out sophisticated digital operations. This creates additional pressure on organisations to strengthen their security measures as the technology continues to improve.

Google has also reported that state-backed groups linked to countries including China, Iran, North Korea and Russia have experimented with its Gemini AI systems. The company has said these groups have used AI to support activities such as research, content generation and other parts of their operations, although the technology does not necessarily mean attackers can independently carry out every stage of a sophisticated cyberattack.

At the same time, AI is becoming an important defensive tool. Google has reported that its own security teams have used AI to identify and fix large numbers of software vulnerabilities more quickly, demonstrating how the same technology can be used to strengthen systems as well as create new risks.

The growing use of AI in cybersecurity is therefore creating an escalating technological race between attackers and defenders. Security experts and intelligence agencies are urging organisations to treat AI-related cyber risk as a broader business and national-security concern, while investing in stronger monitoring, resilience and responsible use of AI systems.