A recent Armis survey has shed light on IT leaders’ growing concerns regarding the potential cyber threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI). The survey, which gathered insights from over 1800 global IT decision-makers, revealed that a staggering 74% of respondents see AI-powered attacks as a significant threat to their organization’s security. Additionally, 73% expressed fears about the AI capabilities of nation-state hackers enabling sophisticated cyber-attacks in the future.
The findings, detailed in the 2025 Armis Cyberwarfare Report, highlighted examples of AI threats from countries like Russia, which has integrated AI into its cyberwarfare strategies, and China’s DeepSeek AI model. Furthermore, 64% of IT leaders acknowledged that generative AI (GenAI) could potentially disrupt the geopolitical status quo by allowing smaller nations and non-state actors to emerge as formidable cyber threats.
Armis Labs identified five key tactics employed by nation-state actors using cyber offensive AI, including automated malware development, AI-driven phishing, deepfake disinformation, autonomous network attacks, and AI attack recommendation. These tactics leverage AI technology to enhance malicious activities and evade detection, posing a significant challenge to traditional cybersecurity measures.
Despite the growing concerns around AI-powered cyber threats, 77% of respondents confirmed that their organizations have implemented measures to detect and counter such attacks. Many IT leaders also expressed optimism about leveraging AI for defensive purposes, citing benefits such as behavioral analysis, automated threat hunting, adaptive defense mechanisms, and exploitation detection.
In addition to AI-related fears, over 87% of IT decision-makers expressed general concerns about the impact of cyberwarfare on their organizations. This sentiment marks a significant increase from previous reports, with only 54% of IT leaders citing such concerns in 2024. The rise in geopolitical uncertainty, driven by armed conflicts and political shifts, has contributed to the escalating worries about potential cyber threats.
Looking ahead, 75% of IT leaders believe that cyberwarfare attacks will increasingly target institutions that represent free press and independent thought. This prediction underscores the evolving nature of cyber threats and the need for organizations to bolster their cybersecurity defenses in the face of AI-driven attacks and geopolitical tensions.
Overall, the Armis survey highlights the complex and multifaceted challenges posed by AI in the realm of cybersecurity and underscores the importance of proactive measures to mitigate evolving cyber threats in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.