Cyberattacks are reaching unprecedented levels, with incidents involving AI-powered bots increasing by an astonishing 1,400 percent as reported at the World Economic Forum in Dubai. In 2025, there were also 25 times more Distributed Denial of Service attacks than in previous years. Experts emphasized the urgency of adopting zero-trust systems and robust AI frameworks to combat these growing vulnerabilities.
Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder and COO of Cloudflare, highlighted the existence of advanced cybersecurity solutions available for organizations but warned of a widening digital divide. Larger financial institutions often have access to modern defenses, while smaller businesses struggle with outdated technologies. This disparity necessitates a focus on contemporary security measures, particularly during vulnerable times.
Catherine de Bolle, executive director at Europol, noted the transformative impact of AI on law enforcement, highlighting that traditional methods are becoming insufficient. She called for enhanced collaboration between the private sector and government to improve digital security, cryptocurrency tracing, and counter organized crime, which has become more efficient through AI. Additionally, Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard, pointed out the potential for AI to streamline digital fraud, enabling criminals to profit without significant infrastructure.