Microsoft: Russia and China are using AI to escalate cyberattacks. According to Microsoft’s new Digital Defense Report, Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are rapidly increasing their use of artificial intelligence (AI) for cyberattacks and online deception targeting the United States.
In July 2025, Microsoft recorded over 200 cases of AI misuse by foreign actors — twice as many as in 2024 and ten times more than in 2023.
These findings reveal how AI is becoming a key weapon in cyber warfare, espionage, and disinformation campaigns.
How AI Is Used in Cyber Warfare
Foreign hackers and state-backed groups are leveraging AI to:
- Automate phishing and ransomware attacks
- Create fake online personas and officials
- Translate and polish malicious emails to sound authentic
- Spread disinformation and disrupt infrastructure
Target Objectives
| Type of Actor | Main Goal | Common Targets |
|---|---|---|
| State-backed hackers | Espionage, sabotage, influence | Governments, military, supply chains |
| Cybercriminals | Financial gain, data theft | Corporations, hospitals, transport systems |
Microsoft’s Amy Hogan-Burney, VP of Security and Trust, noted that AI-driven attacks now threaten critical U.S. infrastructure, while many organizations still rely on outdated cybersecurity tools.
Top Targets of Global Cyberattacks
| Rank | Country | Main Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | Political influence, economic impact |
| 2 | Israel | Regional conflict and intelligence |
| 3 | Ukraine | Cyber warfare linked to ongoing war |
Nations Deny Accusations
- Russia, China, and Iran reject allegations of cyber aggression, calling them political pressure.
- Iran’s UN Mission stated it does not initiate offensive cyber operations but “reserves the right to defend itself.”
- North Korea reportedly uses AI-generated fake U.S. identities to apply for remote tech jobs, giving its hackers covert access to sensitive systems.
Expert Insight
Nicole Jiang, CEO of cybersecurity firm Fable, warned that AI-based attacks will expand rapidly:
“Cyber warfare is a cat-and-mouse game. Access, data, and money — that’s what they’re after.”
She added that while AI enables hackers, it’s also the most powerful defense tool against them.