Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the world of cybercrime, making it easier for attackers to launch ransomware campaigns, steal data and carry out extortion schemes. Security analysts caution that tools once designed for productivity are now being retooled to fuel criminal activity on a much larger scale.
AI-Powered Ransomware Emerges
Researchers recently detected what is believed to be the first AI-generated ransomware, named PromptLock. Although not fully developed, versions targeting both Windows and Linux have already appeared on malware databases. While less advanced than existing families such as Qilin or INC, PromptLock shows how generative AI can reduce development time and lower the skill required to build malware.
AI in Extortion Operations
In a separate case, an AI tool was reportedly misused in an extortion campaign that struck 17 organisations. Attackers used AI for reconnaissance, exploitation, malware development and ransom negotiations, with demands ranging from 75,000 dollars (about ₹62.6 lakh) to 500,000 dollars (about ₹4.18 crore). Meanwhile, a new ransomware group called Global Group has introduced AI chatbots to negotiate with victims, replacing human operators. Analysts say this approach allows criminals to run operations faster and with fewer resources.
Agentic AI Raises New Concerns
Experts warn that the next stage could involve agentic AI, where autonomous systems carry out reconnaissance, targeting and infections without human involvement. At a recent hearing, it was revealed that AI-driven scams have surged 456 percent in just one year, fuelled by deepfakes, phishing and automated extortion attempts. Researchers also confirm that AI is being used in voice cloning, malware debugging and exploit discovery, speeding up the pace of cyberattacks.
A Growing Challenge for Defenders
Although AI is not yet able to completely replace ransomware operators, it is already helping criminals scale their campaigns more efficiently. From automated ransom demands to enhanced reconnaissance, these tools are closing the gap between traditional methods and AI-powered attacks. Analysts caution that while AI is the latest tool in the cybercriminal toolkit, it will not be the last, and the race between attackers and defenders is only accelerating.
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