---
title: Cybercriminals Weaponize AI to Launch More Sophisticated Attacks
description: Darktrace reports a surge in AI-powered cyberattacks, with over 12.6 million malicious emails detected in early 2025. Threat actors use AI to create sophisticated phishing campaigns and exploit vulnerabilities, challenging traditional security tools.
canonical_url: https://codekeeper.co/ticker/cybercriminals-weaponize-ai-to-launch-more-sophisticated-attacks
---

[Cyberattacks](https://codekeeper.co/ticker/tag/cyberattacks)

# Cybercriminals Weaponize AI to Launch More Sophisticated Attacks

Darktrace reports a surge in AI-powered cyberattacks, with over 12.6 million malicious emails detected in early 2025. Threat actors use AI to create sophisticated phishing campaigns and exploit vulnerabilities, challenging traditional security tools.

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By Content Team Aug 6, 2025

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Darktrace's latest research reveals cybercriminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to scale and sharpen their attacks. The company detected over 12.6 million malicious emails between January and May 2025, with threat actors leveraging AI-powered tools like large language models to create convincing phishing campaigns at unprecedented speed. Advanced persistent threat groups, ransomware-as-a-service operations, and malware distributors are all adopting AI technology. Notable threats include the LameHug malware powered by open-source AI and sophisticated ClickFix social engineering campaigns. Chinese-linked actors exploited critical vulnerabilities in government infrastructure weeks before public disclosure, highlighting the evolving threat landscape that traditional security tools struggle to counter. **Source:** Industrial Cyber

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