AI is changing the way cyber attacks happen, and the speed of these attacks is now a major concern for businesses worldwide. Understanding this shift helps you see why security is becoming a top priority for the companies you may work for or shop with.

Company executives say AI is accelerating and making cyber threats more sophisticated. The pressure is visible in the numbers: the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures list recorded nearly 37,000 security flaws in the third quarter of 2026, three times the amount reported a year earlier. Such a surge forces IT teams to work around the clock to patch systems.

Hackers are also using AI. Claroty researchers employed widely available AI tools to reproduce a refrigeration controller flaw, and Sean Tufts said they recreated it for six dollars in 28 minutes.

To keep up, many firms are boosting investment in AI‑powered security tools. Booking.com’s chief security officer Marnie Wilking said hundreds of engineers are building AI‑based defences, while Ionos CTO Markus Noga described AI monitoring that scans for threats and installs patches continuously. Binance announced more spending on AI‑enhanced detection, and Ahold Delhaize’s CFO Jolanda Poots‑Bijl noted that AI helps the company detect and restore systems much faster than before.

The same AI that speeds up attacks also enables defenders to react more quickly, shortening the time needed to patch vulnerabilities. This cat‑and‑mouse race means that robust, AI‑driven security will remain essential for every organisation.