AI has become the top cybersecurity priority for defenders as criminals exploit it, according to PwC. The firm’s Annual Threat Dynamics 2026 report, published on 25 March, warns that AI is being weaponised to accelerate malware development and automate reconnaissance, enabling more sophisticated attacks.
PwC notes that AI is a force multiplier for threat actors and that this has already seen a China-based group launch a hacking campaign using a tool with similar capabilities to ReaperAI, which was described as a proof-of-concept AI agent for penetration testing.
The report states that AI will fuel a sustained increase in threat volume and sophistication from a broader pool of actors, including less skilled ones, while also highlighting AI’s potential to boost defenders through faster detection and automated containment. PwC nonetheless emphasises that AI tools can and should be used to defend against cyber threats, urging investment in AI-enhanced defence and post-quantum readiness to keep pace.