AI has dramatically transformed the way cybersecurity is conducted, reshaping the cyber landscape with different tools and technologies for protection. On the other side, cybercriminals are harnessing AI to launch smarter, faster attacks.
With AI, cybercriminals are automating phishing campaigns, creating convincing deepfakes, and probing systems at machine speed. According to a 2025 study by SoSafe, 87% of organizations reported having faced an AI-driven cyberattack in the past year. This number is expected to go up as AI technologies advance.
However, defenders are answering back with their own AI-powered tools. These tools include real-time threat detection, behavior-based monitoring, and automated incident response systems, helping security teams stay ahead of attackers. When AI is both the weapon and the shield, the rules shift dramatically.
The Dark Side of AI — How Cybercriminals are Weaponizing Technology
Threat actors are using AI to accelerate the creation of content used for cyberattacks. It also allows cybercriminals to automate operations, making them more streamlined. Some of the ways criminals are weaponizing AI include:
- AI-powered phishing: Cybercriminals now deploy phishing emails crafted by large language models. These emails mimic individual writing styles, include personal details, and bypass spam filters.
- Deepfake and voice scams: Using generative AI, attackers create fake audio or videos of executives, employees, or trusted figures. This scheme tricks victims into authorizing payments or sharing credentials.
- Malware evolution: Self-learning malware driven by AI can adjust its behavior mid-stream.
An article from Procedia Computer Science discusses the rise and fall of the AI chatbot “Tay.” It serves as a prime example of AI being easy to manipulate. When Tay was launched in 2016, the model soon displayed negative behavior after being fed prompts. Some of these prompts were racist and sexist in nature.
How Defenders are Using AI for Smarter Cybersecurity
While cybercriminals use AI as a weapon, it’s also becoming the most powerful ally for security teams. By sifting through millions of signals in real time, machine learning systems can spot threats before they land. They can also automate incident response and use behavioral analysis to detect anomalies long before damage occurs.
A 2025 Cisco report found that 89% of organizations are using AI-based technologies to understand cyber threats. The general public is also now more aware of how AI-driven scams work. Google’s mail client Gmail, for example, uses AI to sift through communications and flag suspicious emails. This filtering method helps prevent users from getting victimized by email scams, and it also keeps their inboxes clean.
However, NordVPN’s own biometrics survey also found that the public is increasingly frustrated with AI chatbots. People are also worried about how companies deploy AI. This sentiment underscores a need for transparency in AI-powered defense tools and AI-centered cybersecurity education. As defenders adopt AI, trust in the system becomes as important as the system itself.
When organizations combine advanced AI-driven detection with simple, dependable protections, they create a more resilient architecture against evolving threats.
The Human Gap: Why Awareness and Privacy Still Matter
In NordVPN’s 2025 National Privacy Test, the U.S. scored 59 out of 100. However, only 5% of U.S. respondents understood the privacy issues when using AI at work.
These gaps matter because while AI-driven defense tools are improving rapidly, human error remains a major vulnerability. Here are examples of human error that often lead to breaches:
- Clicking on malicious links by opening phishing emails or fake login pages that install malware or steal credentials.
- Misconfiguring access controls by granting unnecessary admin rights or leaving cloud storage buckets publicly accessible.
- Reusing weak or compromised passwords, making it easy for attackers to gain access through credential stuffing.
- Mishandling sensitive data and accidentally sharing files containing personal or financial information without encryption.
- Ignoring software updates or security alerts, which allow unpatched vulnerabilities to remain open for exploitation.
In workplaces that are increasingly integrating AI into tools and processes, low privacy literacy and weak habits become glaring weaknesses. To thrive in this environment, organizations and individuals must invest in technology, education, habit-forming practices, and a culture of vigilance.
Combining AI with a VPN to Improve Cybersecurity Strategy
Cybersecurity must blend AI-driven protection, strong encryption, and human vigilance. While AI tools help detect and neutralize threats in real time, a VPN adds another indispensable layer of defense. It does so by protecting your data at the network level.
Using a VPN prevents data interception, IP tracking, and geo-based targeting. Cybercriminals often exploit these vulnerabilities when launching automated scans or AI-powered attacks. To strengthen protection, users can download a VPN to encrypt their traffic. A VPN also makes it harder for automated scanners or data-scraping bots to track them.
For example, NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro goes beyond standard VPN encryption. It uses machine learning-based detection to block phishing attempts and malicious websites. It also stops intrusive trackers from collecting data about you, even when the VPN itself isn’t active.
Additionally, follow these practical steps to enhance your digital security:
- Use AI-powered antivirus and behavioral analytics tools to flag unusual system activity or file behavior early.
- Stay informed about emerging cyber threats through verified security news and research.
Combining AI intelligence with VPN encryption ensures your online safety evolves as fast as the threats do. You get both smart prediction and private protection in a world where digital risks never stop learning.
Looking Ahead to the Next Phase of AI and Cybersecurity
The next phase of AI in cybersecurity will continue to be a cat-and-mouse game. As soon as defenders build smarter detection models, attackers use the same technology to evolve their tactics.
AI-driven malware, phishing automation, and deepfake scams are becoming more sophisticated, forcing security systems to learn and adapt continuously. AI may be reshaping cybersecurity, but users can protect against threats with the right tools and awareness.
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