Hackers are harnessing AI to exploit security flaws faster than ever (www.techradar.com)

A recent report by IBM X-Force highlights a concerning 44% increase in cyber-attacks on public-facing applications, driven largely by vulnerability exploitation, which accounted for 40% of incidents in 2025. The findings reveal that the rise of generative AI tools has significantly lowered barriers for low-skilled hackers, enabling them to quickly exploit security flaws in supply chains and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) integrations. As these attackers become more skilled in leveraging AI for automating tasks, the speed and scale at which they can conduct attacks are accelerating, with a nearly 50% increase in ransomware operations reported. These trends pose a significant challenge for the AI/ML community, as the very technologies designed to enhance security can also empower malicious actors. IBM warns that hackers are not changing their strategies but are rather enhancing their capabilities with AI to operate more effectively. The report emphasizes the need for a reassessment of cybersecurity strategies, urging organizations to be vigilant, particularly with software vulnerabilities and third-party partnerships that are increasingly targeted. Looking forward, IBM anticipates that AI will be used not just for automating attacks but also for research and real-time data analysis, further complicating the cybersecurity landscape.