Microsoft has said that hackers affiliated with foreign states have begun using AI to carry out “malicious” cyber attacks on Western targets.

The tech giant said that over the last year, the speed, scale and sophistication of attacks has increased alongside the rapid development and adoption of AI more broadly. Meanwhile, those fending off the attacks “are only beginning” to recognise they can also use AI to shift the cyber-security balance in their favour.

In 2019, Microsoft injected $1bn into OpenAI, which unveiled its wildly successful ChatGPT tool in 2022. It later announced a further $10bn investment in the firm and has incorporated it into its Bing search platform.

Open AI said it had already been forced to contend with five state-affiliated actors that sought to use its AI services in support of malicious cyber activities.

These included two China-affiliated actors known as Charcoal Typhoon and Salmon Typhoon; the Iran-affiliated Crimson Sandstorm; Emerald Sleet, which is associated...