AI being used to diversify attacks beyond phishing and email, says UAE cybersecurity chief

Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Cyber Security Council, stated at the 3rd Government Cybersecurity Summit in Abu Dhabi that artificial intelligence is no longer limited to phishing and email attacks. Instead, AI is now being used for data exfiltration, data wiping, and sophisticated cyber operations, including cyber terrorism and warfare, targeting governments, businesses, and individuals. The summit, held under the theme ‘Securing the UAE’s Digital Future: Building Resilience, Trust & Innovation,’ addressed the growing complexity of cyber threats as AI reshapes the digital landscape. Al Kuwaiti emphasized that attacks are expanding beyond critical infrastructure to include operational technology systems, supply chains, and personal data, exploiting interconnected digital ecosystems. AI-generated deepfakes and misinformation campaigns were also highlighted as major threats, capable of spreading fear and confusion within communities. Al Kuwaiti stressed the need for collaboration between governments, the private sector, and technology providers to mitigate these risks. Dr Aleksandar Valjarevic, Acting CEO of Help AG, urged governments to adopt AI-first strategies with cybersecurity embedded from the foundation. He warned that sovereign AI ecosystems must be secured across communication networks, data centers, computing infrastructure, and AI platforms to ensure long-term resilience. Valjarevic also emphasized the importance of quantum-resistant security, advising governments to prepare for the future impact of quantum computing. He described the current challenge as a race to deploy AI at a national scale in a trusted, sovereign manner, ensuring resilience is built into every layer of the platform.