AI cybersecurity threats in 2026 are escalating sharply as threat actors move from experimenting with AI to operationalizing it at scale. Security leaders at Google’s Mandiant and Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) say threat actor use of AI is shifting “from the exception to the norm”. Thus, accelerating the speed, scope, and effectiveness of attacks across social engineering, information operations, and malware development. Several experts also warn that agentic systems will increasingly automate steps across the attack lifecycle, widening the gap between attacker capability and defender readiness.
The report outlines how AI-enabled malware is evolving toward adaptive behavior mid-execution. Analysts warn these tools can generate scripts, evade detection, and operate autonomously, while agentic AI amplifies phishing, reconnaissance, lateral movement, and data-leakage risks.
The article also flags prompt injection as a growing attack surface as more businesses integrate LLMs into workflows. It also highlights the likelihood of more AI-enhanced social engineering, including voice cloning and deepfake-driven fraud. Key risks span AI-driven API exploitation, data-theft extortion, OT/ICS exposure, deepfake employees, nation-state attacks, and identity abuse as AI agents add non-human identities.
- Threat actors are expected to mainstream AI and agentic automation across campaigns
- Prompt injection, AI browsers, and “shadow agents” expand enterprise attack surfaces
- Extortion may pivot from encryption toward data theft, tampering, and reputational sabotage
- Identity, OAuth tokens, and AI-agent credential sprawl intensify breach risk and accountability
As AI threats intensify in 2026, CISOs must prove security ROI while upskilling teams to counter AI-driven risks.
Source:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/10-ways-ai-will-do-unprecedented-damage-in-2026-experts-warn/
