AI linked to 84% of ransomware attacks, new report finds

Key Points:

• A global cybersecurity report by Semperis reveals that 84% of ransomware victims experienced attacks exploiting artificial intelligence (AI), while 44% reported attackers using their own AI systems against them, highlighting AI's growing role in cybercrime.
• The 2026 Ransomware Risk Report, based on surveys of 1,200 IT professionals across multiple countries and industries, shows that AI enables cybercriminals to automate intrusions, identify vulnerabilities faster, and tailor attacks, increasing both the scale and sophistication of ransomware campaigns.
• Beyond technical impacts, ransomware attacks have serious human consequences, with over a third of victims facing psychological or physical threats and 14% reporting forced relocations or job changes for employees or their families due to ongoing threats.
• Experts warn that AI is democratizing cybercrime by allowing less technically skilled individuals to launch autonomous ransomware attacks and produce more sophisticated malicious code, complicating law enforcement attribution and response efforts.
• While AI can be exploited by attackers, cybersecurity leaders emphasize the importance of using AI defensively to protect digital infrastructure, noting that vulnerabilities often stem from poor access controls rather than AI itself.