FBI warns China is using AI to sharpen cyberattacks on US infrastructure

In a nutshell: An FBI official has warned of a rise in state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting American critical infrastructure, with China emerging as the most persistent and active threat. This concern follows high-profile breaches linked to Beijing-backed groups, who have infiltrated sectors like telecommunications, energy, and water, often remaining undetected for long periods.

In an interview with The Register, FBI Deputy Assistant Director Cynthia Kaiser explained how Chinese state-backed cyber groups use artificial intelligence at every stage of their attack operations. While she acknowledged that these efforts don't always lead to success, AI enhances the speed and efficiency of their efforts. These digital intruders operate with increasing sophistication and stealth, infiltrating critical sectors such as government, telecommunications, energy, and water, often remaining undetected for extended periods.

Recent incidents highlight the scale and persistence of the threat. For instance, the Volt Typhoon group compromised hundreds of outdated routers to create a ...