AI-Driven Cyberattacks Set to Surge: Industry Leaders Call for Global Cyber Defense Effort

More than 100 companies and organizations, including Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, Amazon, and Oracle, have signed a joint letter calling for increased action to defend against AI-driven cyberattacks. The letter warns that these attacks will become more widespread and sophisticated as AI models become increasingly capable.

The signatories are urging industry leaders and governments to carry out a 'global surge in cyber defense.' They recommend that all organizations prioritize cybersecurity by addressing existing vulnerabilities, upgrading outdated systems, and using AI to strengthen defenses. Cybersecurity companies should continuously test their defenses against the capabilities of frontier AI models and make AI-powered security tools more accessible.

The letter also calls on governments to coordinate cyber defense at local, national, and international levels, increase funding, and expand trusted-access programs that give organizations access to powerful AI models before they're commercially released. The AI companies themselves are being asked to provide model access, funding, training, and hands-on support, especially for 'under-resourced critical-infrastructure defenders.'

This call comes amid growing warnings about the potential of AI to dramatically increase both the scale, speed, and sophistication of cyberattacks. In June, the Five Eyes intelligence agencies issued a warning that AI is lowering barriers for malicious actors while increasing the complexity of attacks.