AI-Powered Cyber-Attacks on the Rise: What You Need to Know

The number of AI-enabled cyber-attacks has surged significantly over the past year, with threat actors employing machine learning and Large Language Models (LLMs) to optimize their attack techniques and campaigns. According to the CrowdStrike Global Threat Report 2026, there was an astonishing 89% increase in attacks by “AI-enabled adversaries” in 2025 compared to the previous year. This alarming trend is expected to continue, with threat actors leveraging AI to aid in social engineering, malware development, disinformation campaigns, and more.

The Rise of AI-Enabled Threat Actors

Threat actors have been using AI-powered tools to enhance their attack methods, resulting in a significant increase in the number of AI-enabled cyber-attacks. The CrowdStrike Global Threat Report 2026 details several examples of this trend, including a campaign attributed to the Chinese intelligence service that leveraged AI to create credible-looking consulting firms to target former US government employees on recruitment and social media platforms. Another example is the Russian-based cyber-criminal operation dubbed Renaissance Spider, which has been detected using AI-based tools to increase the credibility of phishing emails used to deliver ClickFix campaigns to Ukrainian-speaking targets.

How AI-Enabled Threat Actors Are Evolving

Threat actors are not only increasing their use of AI-powered tools but also experimenting with new ways to integrate them into their attack methods. According to the report, certain threat actors have started using AI to aid in malware development and organization. For example, a campaign by Russian state-backed hacking and espionage operation Fancy Bear incorporated an LLM into malware to support reconnaissance and document collection prior to exfiltration. While this campaign did not demonstrate a significant increase in effectiveness or sophistication compared to traditional malware, it showcased the continued exploration of AI as a development aid.

Why You Should Take Notice

The use of AI-powered tools by threat actors poses a significant threat to organizations and individuals alike. To defend against these attacks, it is essential to develop clear incident response responsibilities and business continuity plans. CrowdStrike recommends that organizations can help protect employees, clients, and customers from AI-enabled attacks with strong identity verification procedures, AI-focused security awareness training, and threat intelligence monitoring. As Adam Meyers, head of counter adversary operations at CrowdStrike, puts it, "This is an AI arms race. Security teams must operate faster than the adversary to win."

The Future of Cybersecurity

As AI-powered cyber-attacks continue to rise, it is essential to stay informed about the latest threat trends and best practices for defense. The CrowdStrike Global Threat Report 2026 serves as a valuable resource for organizations looking to stay ahead of the curve. By developing clear incident response responsibilities, business continuity plans, and implementing strong security measures, individuals and organizations can reduce their risk exposure to AI-enabled threats.

Conclusion

The use of AI-powered tools by threat actors has significantly increased over the past year, with serious implications for organizations and individuals alike. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to stay informed about the latest threat trends and best practices for defense. By developing clear incident response responsibilities, business continuity plans, and implementing strong security measures, individuals and organizations can reduce their risk exposure to AI-enabled threats.

Key Takeaways:

* The number of AI-enabled cyber-attacks has nearly doubled over the past year. * Threat actors are using AI-powered tools to enhance their attack methods, including social engineering, malware development, disinformation campaigns, and more. * Organizations should develop clear incident response responsibilities and business continuity plans to defend against AI-enabled threats. * Strong identity verification procedures, AI-focused security awareness training, and threat intelligence monitoring can help protect employees, clients, and customers from AI-enabled attacks.