Microsoft is offering European governments a cybersecurity programme free of charge to bolster their defences against a surge in cyber threats, particularly those enhanced by artificial intelligence. This initiative, launched on Wednesday, comes in response to increased cyberattacks in Europe, many linked to state-sponsored actors from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The programme aims to boost intelligence-sharing on AI-based threats and help prevent and disrupt such attacks. < /p>

Microsoft President Brad Smith told Reuters in an interview, "If we can bring more to Europe of what we have developed in the United States, that will strengthen cybersecurity protection for more European institutions." He also indicated that Microsoft would be making further announcements related to cybersecurity efforts later in the month. < /p>

Attackers are increasingly employing generative AI to amplify the scale and impact of their malicious operations, which range from disrupting critical infrastructure to spreading disinformation. However, while malicious actors have weaponised AI, Brad Smith emphasized that AI also offers powerful defensive tools. "We don't feel that we have seen AI that has evaded our ability to detect the use of AI or the threats more broadly," Smith stated. He articulated Microsoft's objective: "Our goal needs to be to keep AI advancing as a defensive tool faster than it advances as an offensive weapon." In line with this, Microsoft actively tracks any malicious use of its AI models and implements measures to prevent known cybercriminals from using its AI products. < /p>

The concerning rise of AI-driven deepfakes has been highlighted by incidents such as a portrayal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appearing to capitulate to Russian demands in 2022, and a fake audio recording in 2023 that influenced the Slovakian election. According to Smith, audio deepfakes have so far been easier to create convincingly than video deepfakes. < /p> < /div>