AI-Driven Ransomware Surges Globally, Underscoring Cybersecurity Crisis

Ransomware gangs are increasingly integrating AI into their operations, using generative AI tools to automate and enhance attacks such as ransom negotiations, code writing, and social engineering, although this remains an exception rather than the norm. Security reports reveal that 80% of ransomware-as-a-service groups now offer some form of AI automation, with AI-powered attacks accelerating intrusion, encryption, and extortion stages, outpacing traditional defenses and compressing defenders' response windows. Organizations worldwide are struggling to keep up with the speed and sophistication of AI-driven cyberattacks, with nearly half reporting difficulty in detecting or responding quickly enough, and many experiencing significant disruption or data loss. Social engineering has evolved through AI, making phishing lures more convincing and giving rise to deepfake technologies that facilitate impersonation scams. Despite these threats, many organizations feel unprepared to manage AI-related risks, with only a small percentage indicating readiness for generative AI threats, highlighting a leadership and preparedness disconnect. The cybersecurity community anticipates AI-driven threats and deepfakes to remain critical concerns in 2026, emphasizing an urgent need for enhanced defenses, better account security practices, and board-level commitment to modernizing cyber defenses.