DUBAI: Artificial intelligence is making cyberattacks more sophisticated and widespread, but it is also enhancing digital defenses, experts told the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, as they stressed the need for zero-trust systems and robust AI frameworks to reduce vulnerabilities.
Cyber threats surged in 2025, with Distributed Denial of Service attack records shattered 25 times and a staggering 1,400 percent rise in incidents involving AI-powered bots incarcerating humans.
Experts agreed that while AI has accelerated new and sophisticated threats, with phishing and impersonation on the rise, it has also improved solutions.
Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder, president and COO of Cloudflare, pointed to modern solutions organizations can invest in. However, she warned against the digital divide between major financial institutions that have robust cybersecurity measures, and smaller organizations struggling with outdated security solutions.
This divide, she said, necessitates heightened awareness and adaptation to modern security technologies to prevent crises, especially during vulnerable times like weekends.
