WASHINGTON (AP) — New research from Microsoft indicates that Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea have significantly boosted their use of artificial intelligence to mislead individuals online and launch cyberattacks on the United States.
In July, the company discovered over 200 cases where foreign adversaries utilized AI to generate fake content online, which is more than double the amount recorded in July 2024 and over ten times the figure from 2023.
The results, released on Thursday by Microsoft'sannual digital threats report, show how foreign enemies are utilizing fresh and creative methodsin their attempts to turn the internet into a weapontool for espionage and deception.
The potential of AI is claimed to be used by adversaries of the United States.
America's enemies, along with criminal organizations andhacking companies, have leveraged AI's capabilities, utilizing it to automate and enhance cyberattacks, to disseminateinflammatory disinformationand to access sensitive systems. AI can convert poorly written phishing emails into well-written English, for instance, as well ascreate digital replicas of high-ranking government officials.
Government cyber activities frequently seek to acquire confidential data, disrupt supply networks,disrupt critical public servicesor spread false information. Cyber criminals, on the other hand, pursue financial gain by stealing company data or deploying ransomware to demand payments from their targets. These groups are behind the vast majority of cyberattacks globally, and in certain instances havebuilt partnerships with countries like Russia.
More and more, these hackers are employing AI to attack governments, businesses, and essential systems such as hospitals and transportation networks, as stated by Amy Hogan-Burney, Microsoft's vice president of customer security and trust, who was responsible for the report. Meanwhile, many U.S. companies and organizations are relying on obsolete cybersecurity measures, despite the growing number of digital connections among Americans.
Businesses, governments, entities, and individuals need to recognize the danger seriously in order to safeguard themselves against increasing cyber threats, she stated.
We view this as a critical juncture where technological advancement is accelerating rapidly," Hogan-Burney stated. "This is the year when it's essential to focus on the fundamentals of your cybersecurity.
The United States is a widely sought-after destination
The United States is the primary target for cyberattacks, as criminals and foreign entities focus their efforts on businesses, government agencies, and organizations within the U.S. more than in any other nation. Israel andUkrainewere the second and third most frequently targeted, highlighting how military conflicts between these two countries have extended into the digital sphere.
Russia, Chinaand Iran have denied that they engage in cyber operations for espionage, disruption, anddisinformation. For example, China claims that the U.S. is attempting to “smear ” Beijing while conducting its own cyberattacks.
In a message sent to The Associated Press on Thursday, Iran's UN delegation stated that Iran denies claims attributing cyberattacks against the U.S. to it, while maintaining its right to self-defense.
The Islamic Republic of Iran does not launch any type of offensive cyber activity against any country," the mission stated in the declaration. "Nevertheless, as a target of cyber attacks, it will react to any such threat in a way that is appropriate to its severity and extent.
North Koreahas introduced a program where it utilizesAI personasto develop American identities that enable them to qualify for remote technology positions. North Korea's authoritarian regime collects the salaries, while the hackers utilize their access to steal information or deploy malicious software.
It's the type of digital threat that more American organizations will encounter in the coming years, as advanced AI programs make it simpler for malicious individuals to manipulate, according to Nicole Jiang, CEO of Fable, a San Francisco-based security firm that employs AI to detect fake employees. AI is not only a weapon for hackers, but also acrucial protection from cyber adversaries, Jiang said.
Cyber is a game of cat and mouse," she stated. "Access, data, information, and money: That's what they are seeking.