Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of the global cybersecurity battle, with experts warning that attackers are using the technology to make cyber operations faster and more difficult to detect.
Patrice Caine, chief executive of European defence technology company Thales, said organisations need to increase investment in AI-powered security tools as criminals and state-backed groups make greater use of artificial intelligence.
AI can help attackers automate parts of cyber operations, allowing them to identify weaknesses, develop malicious software and carry out attacks at a much greater speed.
Security companies are now responding by developing AI systems designed to detect and block similar threats. Thales has highlighted new tools aimed at defending AI systems and has also partnered with Google Cloud on cybersecurity initiatives.
Microsoft's latest Digital Defense Report also points to a changing cybersecurity environment, with government organisations among the sectors facing significant levels of cyber threats in 2026.
The growing use of AI in cyberattacks is also raising concerns for smaller organisations, including healthcare providers, banks and charities, which may not have the resources available to deploy advanced security systems.
Experts say the challenge is no longer simply developing better AI. Organisations also need stronger controls around how AI agents operate, what systems they can access and how quickly suspicious activity can be detected.
As artificial intelligence becomes more capable, the cybersecurity industry is increasingly focused on using the same technology defensively to keep pace with emerging digital threats.