Computer viruses created from artificial intelligence and the surge in commercial spyware were some of the highlights of this year’s threat assessment released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
The 2024 Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community also emphasized China as the biggest cyber threat to IT networks of the U.S. government, critical infrastructure and private sector, ODNI reported Monday.
According to the collective insights from intelligence experts, a minimum of 73 countries acquired commercial spyware to target journalists and dissidents between 2011 and 2013.
The report also warned of potential U.S. election interference from China, Russia and Iran by means of generative AI.
ODNI published an unclassified version of the document, which provides information on digital authoritarianism, chemical and biological weapon proliferation and transnational organized criminals resorting to cyber attacks such as ransomware.
The agency will be represented by Michaela Mesquite, acting group chief for augmenting intelligence using machines, at the Potomac Officers Club’s 5th Annual Artificial Intelligence Summit on March 21. The event is still open for registration.
