Foreign Hackers Leverage US AI for Cyber Espionage

Recent reports have unveiled a concerning trend where hackers affiliated with Beijing, Tehran, and other foreign governments are exploiting artificial intelligence technologies developed in the United States. These technologies are being used to enhance cyberattacks not only against the US but also globally, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials and the latest security research.

In 2024, numerous hacker groups utilized Google LLC's Gemini chatbot to aid in crafting malicious codes and scouting for publicly known cyber vulnerabilities. Google's experts disclosed that this tool also facilitated these groups in identifying specific companies as potential targets. The tech giant highlighted that these perpetrators have known connections with China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

AI: A Double-Edged Sword in Cybersecurity

"AI is not yet a panacea for threat actors and may actually be a far more important tool for defenders. The real impact here is they are gaining some efficiency. They can operate faster and scale up," commented Sandra Joyce, Google Vice President of Threat Intelligence. This statement underscores the dual-use nature of AI in cybersecurity, serving both as a weapon for attackers and a shield for defenders.