Hackers are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to carry out attacks , according to a new UN and Europol report titled “Malicious Uses and Abuses of Artificial Intelligence.” The report, which was produced with the help of Trend Micro, predicts that artificial intelligence (AI) will be used in the future as both an attack vector and an attack surface.
Hackers are looking for ways to use AI tools in attacks, as well as methods through which they can compromise or sabotage existing AI systems , such as those used in image and voice recognition and malware detection . As the report notes, while deepfakes are the most “discussed” malicious use of AI, there are many other use cases that could be in development. These include machine learning or AI systems designed to produce highly persuasive and customized social engineering content , or perhaps to automatically identify high-value systems and data in a compromised network that should be stolen.
As Infosecurity Magazine reports, ransomware attacks using artificial intelligence (AI) can involve intelligent targeting, evasion, and high-speed propagation to paralyze victims' networks before they can react.
Edvardas Šileris, Head of Europol’s Cybercrime Centre, said that AI promises the world greater efficiency, automation and autonomy. He added that at a time when people are increasingly concerned about the potential misuse of AI, there needs to be transparency about the threats, but also to examine the potential benefits of technology . Šileris also stressed that this report will help not only to predict possible malicious uses and abuses of AI, but also to prevent and mitigate these threats proactively.
The UN and Europol report also highlights many areas where industry and law enforcement can come together to prevent these risks. For example, they can work together to develop artificial intelligence as a tool to fight cybercrime, as well as find new ways to build resilience into existing AI systems to mitigate potential sabotage attempts.
