Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to carry out cyberattacks and online manipulation campaigns against the United States, Microsoft said in a new report released Thursday.
The company detected more than 200 cases of AI-generated content being used by foreign adversaries in July alone, more than double the figure recorded in 2024 and ten times higher than in 2023. Microsoft’s annual digital threats report stated that hostile states are rapidly integrating AI into espionage, disinformation, and hacking efforts, reports UNB/AP.
“AI can now translate phishing emails into perfect English or even generate realistic digital clones of government officials,” the report warned.
Amy Hogan-Burney, Microsoft’s vice president for customer security and trust, said attackers are increasingly targeting government systems, private companies, hospitals, and transportation networks, while many US institutions continue to depend on outdated cybersecurity measures.
“This is the year when you absolutely must invest in your cybersecurity basics,” Hogan-Burney said.
According to the report, the United States remains the primary target of cyber operations worldwide, followed by Israel and Ukraine. Microsoft warned that AI-enhanced tactics used by adversaries are reshaping the landscape of digital conflict.
