AI cyberattackers are getting better faster

AI models are rapidly improving at performing multi-stage penetration tests (simulated attacks where attackers try to break into systems through multiple steps), with the difficulty of tasks they can complete doubling every 4.7 months as of early 2025. The UK government's AI Security Institute measured this by comparing how well AI models could replicate tasks that human cybersecurity experts can complete, finding that the latest AI systems are now showing even greater capability and posing real security risks to organizations with weak defenses.