CSO reporting paints an unsettling picture of what’s already happening. Autonomous AI agents are learning to execute full attack chains, from reconnaissance and exploitation to evasion and data theft, without human direction. Researchers have documented AI models used to generate extortion emails, launch ransomware, and discover new vulnerabilities in minutes. As one expert put it, attackers are “operating at computer speed and scale,” threatening to tilt the balance of power decisively in their favor.For defenders, the answer isn’t to match automation with automation blindly. Security leaders interviewed by CSO describe a growing focus on treating AI as a “copilot, not an autopilot.” Well-governed AI can accelerate detection, triage, and containment, but it still depends on strong human oversight to stay effective. “The real win isn’t just speed,” one CISO told CSO. “It’s handling the routine stuff so analysts can focus on the complex and strategic problems that machines can’t.”
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FoundryThat human element is also where attackers are focusing their innovation. As AI makes social engineering more convincing and scalable, traditional awareness programs are struggling to keep pace. Generative models can now produce synthetic audio and video that convincingly mimic executives, customers, or family members. What was once a fringe threat has become a mainstream security concern, one that blends technology and psychology in dangerous new ways.That’s why leading CISOs are reframing “human risk” as a top-tier security priority. The next phase of defense isn’t just about smarter algorithms, it’s about smarter, more situationally aware people. Training employees to recognize AI-driven deception, building rapid verification protocols, and maintaining a culture of healthy skepticism have become as important as technical controls.These intersecting challenges, technological and human, will take center stage at the CSO Conference & Awards, October 2022 at the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells, where the CSO Security Priorities study for 2025 will also be presented. Join leading security experts as they discuss how to fight back against AI-enabled attacks, strengthen security culture, and keep human trust at the heart of cyber defense.For more information about the agenda and speakers, please visit: https://event.foundryco.com/cso-conference-awards/agenda/
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