Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to power a wider range of cyberattacks, moving beyond traditional phishing scams and email fraud to more sophisticated operations targeting governments, businesses and critical infrastructure, according to UAE cybersecurity officials.
Speaking at the third Government Cybersecurity Summit in Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Cyber Security Council, said cybercriminals and hostile actors are rapidly expanding their use of AI to conduct complex attacks involving data theft, data destruction and advanced cyber operations.
The summit, held under the theme “Securing the UAE’s Digital Future: Building Resilience, Trust & Innovation,” brought together government officials, cybersecurity experts and technology leaders to discuss emerging threats in an increasingly digital world.
Al Kuwaiti said AI-powered attacks have evolved significantly in recent months, with threat actors using the technology to bypass conventional security measures and execute operations on a larger scale.
“We are no longer seeing AI used only for phishing and email attacks,” he said. “It is now being used for data exfiltration, data wiping and sophisticated cyber operations that have become increasingly frequent.”
He warned that cyber threats are no longer confined to critical infrastructure alone. Government institutions, operational technology systems, private companies, supply chains and individual users are all becoming potential targets as digital networks grow more interconnected.
The UAE cybersecurity chief also highlighted concerns over the rise of AI-generated deepfakes and misinformation campaigns. He said such technologies can be exploited to spread false information, create public confusion and undermine trust in institutions.
According to Al Kuwaiti, cyber threats affect all sectors equally and require a coordinated response involving governments, private-sector organizations and technology providers.
The summit also examined how countries can build secure artificial intelligence systems as governments increasingly adopt AI-driven services and infrastructure.
Aleksandar Valjarevic, acting chief executive of Help AG, said nations are moving toward AI-first strategies across sectors including transportation, critical infrastructure, physical security, data centres and digital services.
He argued that future AI platforms must be designed with cybersecurity protections embedded from the outset rather than added later. Trusted and sovereign AI ecosystems, he said, should include safeguards across communication networks, computing systems, software platforms and data assets.
Valjarevic also stressed the importance of preparing for the emergence of quantum computing, warning that governments should begin developing quantum-resistant security measures to protect future digital infrastructure.
He said the global competition is no longer between AI users and non-users, but between countries capable of deploying AI at scale while maintaining security, resilience and technological sovereignty.
The discussions reflected growing concern among policymakers that the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence is creating both new opportunities and increasingly complex cybersecurity challenges, requiring constant adaptation to stay ahead of evolving threats.
