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AI sharpens cat-and-mouse hacking battle as companies strengthen defences
Cyberattacks are arriving more frequently and becoming harder to manage, with executives saying AI is accelerating the threat. Recent attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems, alongside major software vulnerabilities and cryptocurrency theft, have forced companies to patch systems urgently and invest in AI-based defences.
Nearly 37,000 software and system flaws were reported in the third quarter of 2026, three times the figure a year earlier. Supermarket attacks affected stores across 12 European countries, while Ahold Delhaize said an earlier hack caused more than €200 million in lost sales; researchers later recreated weaknesses in refrigeration controls using AI tools for $6 in 28 minutes.
In short
- AI is accelerating cyber threats and helping companies defend themselves.
- Nearly 37,000 flaws were reported in the third quarter of 2026.
- Supermarket refrigeration attacks affected stores in 12 European countries.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Companies have a strong case for deploying AI in cyber defence: attacks and reported vulnerabilities are rising, and automated tools can help identify weaknesses and respond faster than stretched security teams. Given the potential costs to businesses and disruption to essential systems such as supermarket refrigeration, investing in these tools may be a prudent way to limit harm.
The case against
There is also a case for caution: AI can make it cheaper and quicker for attackers to find and exploit weaknesses, while AI-based defences may introduce new complexity and risks if they are unreliable or poorly governed. Companies should prioritise sound security practices, timely patching and careful oversight, and weigh whether AI investment delivers protection commensurate with its cost and potential downsides.
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