State-sponsored hackers linked to Iran are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT, to launch sophisticated cyberattacks against the United Arab Emirates, a senior official has said.
Speaking on the Maraya podcast hosted by the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of cybersecurity for the UAE government, said the threat landscape has shifted from traditional espionage to AI-driven attacks capable of causing widespread disruption.
He said hackers are now using advanced AI systems to generate malicious code, detect vulnerabilities in networks, and craft highly convincing phishing emails. These emails, often free of the grammatical errors that once made them easy to spot, are designed to trick users into clicking harmful links that deploy ransomware or destructive “wiper” malware.
According to the UAE Cybersecurity Council, the number of cyberattacks targeting the country has doubled in recent months, rising from around 250,000 to more than 500,000 incidents per day. While government systems have so far successfully repelled all attacks, officials warn that private sector organisations remain exposed.
“The use of artificial intelligence in cyber warfare was previously limited, but today it is widespread,” Dr. Al Kuwaiti said. “Hackers are using AI tools to program viruses, write malicious code, and identify weaknesses in infrastructure.”
He highlighted the growing threat posed by wiper malware, which is designed not to steal data but to erase it permanently. Such attacks could have severe consequences if critical systems are targeted. “Imagine a wiper virus infiltrating national registries or hospital databases,” he said. “It doesn’t just steal information, it removes it entirely.”
Dr. Al Kuwaiti said many of the attacks are carried out through a network of proxy groups rather than direct state operations. These groups often operate from multiple locations worldwide, using cloud infrastructure and anonymous identities to mask their activities. Much of their coordination takes place on the dark web, where hacking tools are traded and stolen or fabricated data is shared.
The threat is not limited to infrastructure. Officials have also raised concerns about ideological campaigns targeting young people through online platforms, including multiplayer games. In some cases, extremist content has been used to spread propaganda and influence perceptions.
Despite the rise in attacks, the UAE says it remains well prepared. The country has deployed advanced AI systems to detect and counter threats in real time, while issuing hundreds of daily alerts to government and private sector partners. Authorities say this coordinated approach allows rapid responses to emerging risks.
Dr. Al Kuwaiti said the UAE continues to strengthen its defences as cyber threats evolve, stressing that awareness and vigilance remain essential as artificial intelligence reshapes the nature of digital security challenges.
