How Hackers Are Thinking About AI
Interesting paper: “What hackers talk about when they talk about AI: Early-stage diffusion of a cybercrime innovation.”
Abstract: The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) is raising concerns about its potential to transform cybercrime. Beyond empowering novice offenders, AI stands to intensify the scale and sophistication of attacks by seasoned cybercriminals. This paper examines the evolving relationship between cybercriminals and AI using a unique dataset from a cyber threat intelligence platform. Analyzing more than 160 cybercrime forum conversations collected over seven months, our research reveals how cybercriminals understand AI and discuss how they can exploit its capabilities. Their exchanges reflect growing curiosity about AI’s criminal applications through legal tools and dedicated criminal tools, but also doubts and anxieties about AI’s effectiveness and its effects on their business models and operational security. The study documents attempts to misuse legitimate AI tools and develop bespoke models tailored for illicit purposes. Combining the diffusion of innovation framework with thematic analysis, the paper provides an in-depth view of emerging AI-enabled cybercrime and offers practical insights for law enforcement and policymakers.
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Clive Robinson • April 14, 2026 8:47 AM
@ Bruce, ALL,
With regards the article saying,
What a very limited outlook.
In the past I’ve pointed out that nearly all “cybercrime” is actually just a re-working of a traditional “tangible physical world” crime into the “intangible information world” where it has certain advantages “army of one” and “cross border” being but two of many.
Thus I suspect that I may not be the only one who has given consideration to non cyber activities assisted by AI.
And was thus not surprised when the idiots in the executive “Department of War” threw the toys out of the pram a week or so back.
The Dept o’War are obviously desperate to have AI find them ways out of the repeated kinetic messes they keep getting themselves into. Thus they want “the magic of AI” to pull there asses out of the piles of crap of their own creating…
So what ever you do, do not make the mistake of thinking AI is for “cyber only” it is most certainly not.