AI-Powered Crime: The Digital Mafia Now Works for Nation-States

Forget lone hackers in dark basements—AI-driven cybercrime is now a global arms race. Criminal networks are acting as mercenaries for hostile states, blending profit with geopolitics.

Europol warns: we’re entering an era where crime is faster, smarter, and state-sponsored. The same AI that drives innovation now powers criminal empires and state-backed hackers.

Europol reports a rise in AI-powered cybercrime, with criminal organizations acting as proxies for hostile states like Russia and China. These AI-enhanced attacks target governments and critical infrastructure rather than individuals, marking a shift toward politically motivated cyber warfare.

• AI enables hyper-realistic impersonations, fueling fraud and blackmail.
• Criminals exploit vulnerabilities in government contractors for espionage.
• Deepfake technology is weaponized to destabilize societies.

This isn’t just crime, it’s a new form of hybrid warfare. Europol calls for urgent countermeasures, but with AI accelerating both security and exploitation, who really has the upper hand?

Read the full article on Financial Times.

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