Hackers are getting smarter—and AI is helping them do it. Recent reports show that cybercriminals from countries like China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea are using AI tools like Google Gemini to improve their attacks. They're using AI to write malicious code, research their targets, and generally make their hacking operations more efficient.
For example, Iranian hackers have used AI to create phishing emails in multiple languages, making their scams more convincing. Chinese hackers use AI to dig into technical details about stealing data and gaining access to systems. Meanwhile, North Korean hackers have even used AI to draft fake job applications for remote tech jobs, trying to infiltrate companies and funnel money into their country’s nuclear program.
The problem is that AI is advancing so fast that security teams are struggling to keep up. Hackers are now able to launch attacks at a speed and scale that wasn’t possible before. A report from Finland’s cybersecurity agency and security firm WithSecure warns that AI-powered attacks are already a serious threat. Hackers are using AI to fine-tune their strategies, making their attacks more successful while also automating and expanding their reach.
Another growing concern is “shadow AI.” Employees in many companies are using AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini without their IT departments knowing. They’re putting sensitive company data—like legal documents, source code, and employee records—into AI chatbots, often through personal accounts. A study by Cyberhaven Labs found that 74% of workplace ChatGPT use happens on private accounts, which means companies have no control over how their data is being used. Even worse, 94% of AI interactions in the workplace happen outside official company accounts, creating huge security risks.
Bottom line? AI is an incredible tool, but it’s also giving hackers and cybercriminals new ways to exploit businesses. Companies need to step up their security game—fast—or risk falling behind in this new era of AI-powered cyber threats.