Smarter Threats: Inside the Rise of AI-Powered Cybercrime

Here in India, it’s telling that global AI powerhouse, OpenAI has revealed that India has the second-highest number of users of ChatGPT, demonstrating the widespread use of Gen AI tools. For too long, the narrative around AI in cyber security has focused on its defensive capabilities. While AI is revolutionizing how organizations protect themselves – bringing unprecedented speed, accuracy, and automation – it’s crucial to acknowledge the other side of the coin. Cyber criminals are quickly embracing AI, using large language models (LLMs) and advanced agentic AI to craft more potent and elusive attacks.

Consider the rise of malicious LLMs like WormGPT and the more recent Xanthorox AI. These aren’t just theoretical threats; they’re platforms designed for nefarious purposes. WormGPT, based on the GPT-J model, was marketed as a “blackhat” alternative, offering features tailored for malicious activities and reportedly trained on malware-related data. While its creators have ceased ...