Cyberattack: what's happening and what it means

UAE warns of Iran using AI tools like ChatGPT for cyberattacks as new guide outlines top crisis-time threats, phishing scams and deepfake risks to the public. Cyberattack has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in UAE.

Key facts

• UAE warns of Iran using AI tools like ChatGPT for cyberattacks as new guide outlines top crisis-time threats, phishing scams and deepfake risks to the public.
• Addressing the scale of cyber threats, Al Kuwaiti revealed that the UAE is currently facing between 500,000 and 700,000 cyberattacks daily, particularly targeting strategic sectors during high-pressure periods.
• Cyberattack attempts have tripled, disrupting business activity and causing delays.
• “What we face today is not merely traditional cyberattacks,” he said, “but more complex threats powered by artificial intelligence, social engineering, and fabricated content.
• Officials say Iran-linked hackers using AI, deepfakes to target UAE users.

What we know

Going deeper, Addressing the scale of cyber threats, Al Kuwaiti revealed that the UAE is currently facing between 500,000 and 700,000 cyberattacks daily, particularly targeting strategic sectors during high-pressure periods.

On the substance, Cyberattack attempts have tripled, disrupting business activity and causing delays.

Beyond the headlines, Officials say Iran-linked hackers using AI, deepfakes to target UAE users.

More precisely, Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Chairman of the UAE Government Cybersecurity Council, revealed that Iran has recently utilised artificial intelligence tools, including “ChatGPT” and others, to engineer cyberattacks targeting the UAE.

It is worth noting that Mohammed Al Kuwaiti confirmed that artificial intelligence has become an integral component of modern cyberattack toolkits—not merely a supplementary aid.

By the numbers

At this stage, Compared to the period before February 28, indicators show a clear increase in both the volume and sophistication of attacks following regional escalation, with greater reliance on AI and deepfake technologies.

On a related note, UAE cyber threats intensify with 800,000 attacks daily.

Going deeper, 25% of shared files expose sensitive data, UAE warns.

On the substance, 25,000 participate in UAE unity race in Abu Dhabi.

What they're saying

“What we face today is not merely traditional cyberattacks,” he said, “but more complex threats powered by artificial intelligence, social engineering, and fabricated content.

“The most important message,” he said, “is that in times of tension, your awareness must be faster than phishing, calmer than rumors, and more accurate than fabricated content.”

“That trust is increasingly difficult to honour,” Nizam says, warning that many organisations lack full visibility into who holds access to sensitive data.

The wider context

On a related note, He highlighted that recent attacks demonstrate a qualitative shift in cyberattack methods, with AI enabling faster, more convincing, cost-effective, and widely scalable operations.

Going deeper, Financial services, government platforms, and utilities face a sustained wave of breaches.

On the substance, Experts warn of growing vulnerabilities and erosion of confidence in digital infrastructure.

Beyond the headlines, Demand for cybersecurity professionals is rising sharply in the region.

More precisely, Cyberattacks surge across UAE amid Iran conflict, businesses face disruptions and rising risks.

The bottom line

• As the UAE deepens its digital transformation, weak identity controls, hybrid work and human behaviour are blurring the line between enterprise cyber risk and consumer data exposure.
• Brent crude crosses $120 per barrel as UAE announces May oil prices.
• Gold prices stabilise, lose Dh1 per gram as interest rates remain unchanged.
• Searches spiking right now: Worrying Proliferation of Cyberattacks in Africa, How Investors May Respond To Hasbro (HAS) Reaffirming 2026 Outlook After Cyberattack Disruptions, Saudi Aramco confirms data leak from one of its contractors - middle-east, الإمارات: إحباط هجمات سيبرانية "ذات طابع إرهابي".