In 2026, artificial intelligence (AI) stands at the center of the cybersecurity landscape — but not only as a defensive tool. What was once a promising technology for automating incident response and threat hunting has become a double-edged sword, empowering both defenders and adversaries. Organizations increasingly rely on AI-driven systems to detect anomalies, automate responses, and predict potential threats before they materialize. These capabilities help security teams close gaps faster, reduce manual workload, and improve resilience against evolving tactics.

However, attackers are matching this innovation stride for stride. AI enables cybercriminals to launch highly personalized social engineering campaigns, generate adaptive phishing content, and even automate complex attack sequences that previously required human expertise. Generative AI tools can craft convincing deepfake audio or video to bypass traditional trust mechanisms and manipulate employees into divulging credentials or transferring funds.

This arms race has spawned agentic AI threats — autonomous systems capable of reconnaissance and exploitation without direct human control — forcing organizations to rethink security postures. As a result, cybersecurity strategies in 2026 must prioritize AI integrity, rigorous model monitoring, and AI-aware defenses that anticipate not just human attackers but AI-empowered adversaries.