Microsoft’s Vice President, Brad Smith, Warns of Increased Cyber Threats Amid AI Adoption
Microsoft’s Vice President, Brad Smith, has expressed concerns about the growing threat of cyber attacks in the digital landscape, particularly with the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in malicious activities. In an interview with the Spiegel, Smith stated that the most capable nations and authorities are actively working to integrate AI into their attack strategies.
This trend begins with the identification of potential victims and progresses to the widespread phishing emails, which, according to Smith, have become more convincing and dangerous due to the integration of AI. AI is not only used by criminal actors but also by law enforcement and defense agencies to combat cyber threats.
Microsoft has dedicated teams that continuously analyze the cyber threat landscape, focusing on economically motivated cybercriminals and state-sponsored actors, such as those from China and Russia. In response, the company is launching a new European Security Program to intensify its collaboration with European security authorities.
Regarding the proposed digital tax on US tech giants, Smith did not take a definitive stance, but acknowledged the possibility of taxing services that rely on advertising, such as social media. Microsoft, however, believes that its products can help German businesses become more productive and innovative and that the government would likely not tax services that can drive economic growth.
Smith also addressed the concerns that the Trump administration might restrict or halt US tech companies’ services in the ongoing trade dispute, stating that the company takes the concerns seriously and is working to address them. In a separate issue, the company’s decision to exclude the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court from its services was described as an isolated incident, with the court remaining a customer of Microsoft’s services. The company has also taken internal measures to ensure that a similar incident does not occur again.