Artificial intelligence is accelerating both cyberattacks and cybersecurity responses, creating a growing challenge for companies as hackers use increasingly capable tools to identify vulnerabilities and exploit weaknesses in digital systems.
A Reuters report published on November 5, 2026, highlighted how organisations across industries are strengthening their security systems as AI makes it easier to discover and exploit software vulnerabilities.
Nearly 37,000 software and system vulnerabilities were reported in the third quarter of 2026, around three times the number recorded during the same period a year earlier. The increase has added pressure on companies to identify weaknesses and deploy security fixes more quickly.
Recent cyber incidents have demonstrated the potential scale of the threat. These include attacks on refrigeration systems used by European supermarkets, the $6.3 billion cryptocurrency theft involving Binance and vulnerabilities in widely used PHP software. The PHP vulnerabilities prompted organisations in several countries to take websites offline while they worked to secure their systems.
The impact of cyberattacks has also extended to business operations. Supermarket operator Ahold Delhaize suffered more than €200 million in lost sales following a cyber incident, according to the report.
In response, companies are increasing their use of AI-powered cybersecurity tools. Organisations including Booking.com, Ionos, Binance, Siemens and the Port of Rotterdam are investing in technologies that can help detect threats, reproduce software vulnerabilities and deploy security patches faster.
AI is being used by security teams to analyse systems, identify weaknesses and improve the speed of responses to potential attacks. However, the same capabilities can also help malicious actors identify vulnerabilities and develop methods to exploit them.
Researchers have warned that widely available AI tools are reducing the time and resources needed to carry out certain hacking activities. In some cases, attackers may attempt to exploit software weaknesses within hours of their disclosure.
The growing use of AI in cybersecurity is also creating opportunities for the security industry. McKinsey estimates that the global cybersecurity market will expand from $223 billion in 2025 to $346 billion by 2029.
Executives and security experts are increasingly emphasising the need for continuous monitoring, faster vulnerability management and stronger digital defences. As attackers and defenders adopt similar AI capabilities, companies face growing pressure to improve their ability to detect and respond to threats.
