Chinese State-Affiliated Hackers More Than Double Attacks After Integrating AI Tools

Chinese state-affiliated hackers reportedly more than doubled their attacks after integrating DeepSeek and other open-source AI tools.

Chinese state-affiliated hackers have more than doubled their attacks after incorporating DeepSeek and other open-source artificial intelligence tools into their operations, according to information attributed to Bloomberg and shared in a recent X post.

The reported increase highlights the growing use of publicly available AI technologies in cyber operations. The development also underscores how open-source artificial intelligence systems can be incorporated into existing hacking activities, potentially changing the scale and efficiency of attacks conducted by sophisticated threat actors.

Hackers Increase Activity After Adopting AI

According to the information shared on X, Chinese state-affiliated hacking groups more than doubled their attacks after integrating DeepSeek and other open-source AI systems into their operations.

The report did not provide specific figures for the number of attacks before or after the reported increase. It also did not identify individual hacking groups, specific targets or the precise techniques used to incorporate the AI tools.

The reference to DeepSeek is notable because the company has developed open-source AI models that have attracted significant attention in the technology sector. Open-source models can be accessed and adapted by a broad range of users, including organizations and developers operating outside the companies that originally created the systems.

Open-Source AI Enters Cyber Operations

The reported development reflects the expanding role of AI technologies in cybersecurity and cyber operations. Artificial intelligence can assist with a range of technical and analytical tasks, although the specific capabilities being used by the hackers were not detailed in the information provided.

Open-source AI tools differ from proprietary systems because their underlying models or components can be made available for broader use and modification. This accessibility can make them attractive to users seeking to incorporate AI capabilities into existing technical workflows.

For cybersecurity professionals, the use of such systems by state-affiliated actors adds another dimension to the challenge of monitoring and defending against sophisticated cyber activity.

However, the reported increase in attacks does not establish that DeepSeek or other AI developers were responsible for the activity. The information concerns how state-affiliated hackers allegedly incorporated available AI technologies into their own operations.

Bloomberg Report Highlights Changing Threat Landscape

The information was attributed to Bloomberg in the X post, which cited the increase in attacks following the integration of DeepSeek and other open-source AI tools.

The post did not provide additional details about the methodology used to measure the increase or the period over which the attacks were recorded. It also did not specify whether the reported activity involved a particular category of cyberattack.

The lack of those details means the reported increase should be understood within the limited information provided. The central development is the reported connection between the adoption of open-source AI tools and a more than twofold increase in attacks by Chinese state-affiliated hackers.

AI Adds New Challenges for Cybersecurity

The reported use of AI by state-affiliated hackers comes as governments, companies and cybersecurity organizations continue to assess how artificial intelligence may affect digital security.

AI systems can potentially be incorporated into existing technical processes, making the technology relevant to both defenders and attackers. As more capable models become broadly accessible, cybersecurity teams face the challenge of identifying how such tools are being used and adapting defenses accordingly.

The reported activity involving DeepSeek and other open-source AI systems therefore adds to the broader discussion about the security implications of increasingly accessible artificial intelligence.

For now, the information shared in the report establishes that Chinese state-affiliated hackers have reportedly more than doubled their attacks after integrating DeepSeek and other open-source AI tools. Specific details about the attacks, targets and methods were not provided.

Writer: Ethan Collins
Crypto Journalist
Ethan Collins reports on developments across the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. His work covers market movements, protocol updates, regulatory changes, and emerging trends in digital assets.
He focuses on presenting complex topics in a clear and accessible manner for a broad readership.