Microsoft UK security adviser says AI cyber threats are already real

AI is changing the cybersecurity threat landscape, and businesses should prepare now, Dr Jon Davies, Microsoft UK’s chief security adviser, told TechRadar at Microsoft Frontier Tour London. “Frontier AI is transforming the threat landscape,” he said. “Right now, AI threats are real, it’s not an urban myth, or something we’re going to see in 2030.”

Microsoft’s Digital Defense Report (DDR) says wider access to AI is lowering barriers to cybercrime. Davies said attackers are using automation and AI agents to carry out more advanced campaigns, while defenders are also adopting AI tools. The report said the UK was Europe’s most targeted country for nation-state and geopolitical cyber activity, with 76 observed events in the past year, and ranked fifth worldwide for customers frequently affected by cyber threats.

Basic scams remain effective. According to the DDR, phishing rose globally from 7% to 23% of incident-response intrusions year over year. Fake meeting invitations and calendar entries are among the methods being used, while attackers gather information on senior executives to make messages more convincing. Davies said phishing remains an entry point for organizations and could become harder to detect with AI.

Davies said cybersecurity is a shared responsibility across organizations, from boards and executives to employees. He described security as a “seatbelt” for AI adoption and said training exercises can help employees understand attackers’ methods. He also said executives are increasingly asking security leaders about protection and recovery plans.