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AI Now Powers 80% of Ransomware, MIT Sloan–Safe Security Study Finds

Accessible toolkits are enabling large-scale campaigns by less-skilled attackers.

MIT Sloan: 80% of ransomware attacks use AI
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Overview

  • The study examined about 2,800 incidents and found four in five ransomware attacks now incorporate AI.
  • Acronis reports a 70% rise in verified ransomware victims in the first half of 2025.
  • OutreachX details plug-and-play ransomware-as-a-service kits that automate targeting and delivery for non-experts.
  • Attackers are shifting from code to content, using LLMs to generate tailored phishing, extortion notes and pressure scripts sold in kits.
  • Experts recommend layered, AI-informed defenses including automated security hygiene, self-healing code, continuous monitoring and zero-trust architectures.