A new CrowdStrike report says cybercriminals are using AI to launch faster attacks, target AI systems and exploit software within hours.
AUSTIN: Artificial intelligence isn’t just helping businesses work smarter anymore. According to a new report, it’s also helping hackers become faster, smarter and far more dangerous.
Cybersecurity company CrowdStrike says AI has now become a core part of modern cyberattacks, with hackers using it to write malicious code, exploit software vulnerabilities and target the AI systems businesses are increasingly relying on.
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One of the biggest concerns is speed.
The report found that 88% of software vulnerabilities with publicly available proof-of-concept code were exploited within 48 hours during the first half of 2026. Some China-linked hacking groups reportedly moved even faster, launching attacks within just 24 hours of vulnerabilities becoming public.
Hackers are also turning their attention to AI itself.
The report says North Korea-linked attackers managed to insert malicious code into 131 trusted AI framework packages, potentially putting developers and organisations using those tools at risk.
Meanwhile, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting cloud platforms, enterprise AI systems and software supply chains, allowing them to reach more victims through trusted applications.
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Another worrying trend is the rise in attacks that trick people instead of breaking into systems.
Voice phishing, better known as vishing, doubled during the first half of the year, while device code phishing attacks increased 15 times as criminals looked for new ways to steal login details.
CrowdStrike also found that cloud-focused cybercrime rose 171%, with attackers targeting everything from business data and AI platforms to cryptocurrency and financial assets.
According to the report, AI is no longer just another tool for cybercriminals. It’s becoming a force multiplier that allows them to automate attacks, scale operations and move much faster than before.
CrowdStrike says businesses should focus not only on adopting AI but also on protecting the AI systems they already use, as attackers continue looking for new ways to exploit them.
With companies embracing AI at record speed, cybersecurity experts warn that defending those systems is quickly becoming just as important as building them.
Saif Kazi is a technology enthusiast who has spent more than two decades exploring, building, fixing, and experimenting with all things tech. A true IT geek at heart, he enjoys working with computers, gadgets, software, and the latest digital tools. Always curious about what’s next, Saif loves sharing practical insights and helping readers make sense of new technology in a simple and relatable way.
