On Wednesday, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a division of Britain’s GCHQ spy agency, issued a warning, expressing concerns that the swift evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is likely to lead to a substantial increase in cyberattacks.
The NCSC predicts that the ease of entry into cybercrime, facilitated by these advancements, will empower less sophisticated hackers to engage in digital malfeasance, ultimately contributing to a global rise in ransomware attacks.
In its report, the NCSC highlighted the uneven impact of AI on the cyber threat landscape, underscoring that the primary beneficiaries of enhanced capabilities would be opportunistic hackers lacking the expertise for more sophisticated attacks.
The report specifically pointed out the potential use of generative AI tools, like chatbots, as a means to create more convincing elements in online phishing campaigns. Furthermore, at an advanced level, state-backed hackers were identified as well-positioned to exploit AI’s potential for executing sophisticated cyber operations, including the creation of advanced malware.
Addressing specific concerns, the report highlighted generative AI models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, capable of producing human-like interactions. These models are increasingly integrated into various services, raising apprehensions about potential security vulnerabilities associated with these large language models (LLMs).
While the security implications of AI are still under exploration, authorities in Britain, the U.S., and Canada are acknowledging the adoption of AI by hackers. As AI continues its rapid advancement, intelligence agencies worldwide are grappling with the challenges posed by algorithms capable of generating convincingly human-sounding interactions. This has led to increased vigilance in monitoring and addressing potential cyber threats.
(Report compiled with inputs from various agencies)