10 ways AI can inflict unprecedented damage in 2026

This year's cybersecurity threat landscape will be much, much worse than last year, experts warn. Here are 10 areas of vulnerability that deserve every business leader's attention in 2026.

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• In 2026, weaponized AI will cause unprecedented harm.
• Malicious AI agents will evade detection as they roam networks.
• CISOs must upskill their teams to deal with AI-related threats.

Looking back at the biggest cybersecurity breaches and intrusions of 2025, here's what I wonder: Will those trends continue unabated into the new year? Or, will 2026 be full of new surprises as threat actors attempt to stay one step ahead of the cybersecurity pros trying to anticipate their next move? 

According to the threat intelligence and cybersecurity experts I've talked to, it's likely to be a bit of each ...