Iran Weaponises ChatGPT in Escalating Cyber War Against UAE, Official Warns
State-sponsored hackers associated with Iran are increasingly employing artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT, to execute sophisticated cyberattacks against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This alarming trend was highlighted by Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, during a recent episode of the Maraya podcast hosted by Sharjah Broadcasting Authority.
The shift from traditional espionage to AI-driven sabotage marks a significant evolution in the nature of cyber threats facing the region. Hackers are now utilizing advanced AI models to generate malicious code, identify system vulnerabilities, and create highly convincing phishing emails aimed at deploying ransomware and destructive “wiper” malware.
The AI-Powered Threat Landscape
The UAE Cybersecurity Council has reported a staggering increase in cyberattacks targeting the nation, with incidents rising from an average of 250,000 to over 500,000 per day since the onset of recent regional crises. While the UAE has successfully thwarted 100% of these attacks against state infrastructure, the private sector remains particularly vulnerable.
Dr. Al Kuwaiti stated, “The use of artificial intelligence in cyber warfare was previously non-existent, but today it is widespread.” He emphasized that hackers are leveraging AI technologies, including ChatGPT and WormGPT, to program viruses, write malicious code, and discover vulnerabilities within critical infrastructure.
Phishing emails, which were once easily identifiable due to poor grammar, have now become nearly indistinguishable from legitimate communications, thanks to AI. These emails often exploit current events to deceive users into clicking malicious links, leading to the deployment of ransomware or “wiper” malware—a type of virus designed to erase databases entirely rather than merely stealing data.
Dr. Al Kuwaiti warned, “Imagine a wiper virus infiltrating the unified national registry or hospital databases. It doesn’t just steal data; it erases it completely.” He cited instances where private institutions were targeted by complex, AI-driven wiper attacks that even reached their backup servers.
The Dark Web and Proxy Networks
The origin of these cyberattacks is rarely a direct state action. Instead, Dr. Al Kuwaiti explained that Iran operates through a complex network of over 40 proxy organizations and sympathizers. Due to heavy internet restrictions within Iran, these syndicates function from various global locations, utilizing cloud computing infrastructure under assumed identities.
Much of this illicit activity is coordinated on the dark web. “The dark web is one of the most important platforms used by the Iranian side today,” Dr. Al Kuwaiti noted. It serves as a hidden marketplace where proxy networks buy, sell, and rent hacking tools, trade in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, and leak fabricated or stolen data to tarnish the reputation of targeted institutions.
Ideological Warfare and Targeting the Youth
The cyber conflict also possesses a deeply ideological dimension aimed at the UAE’s youth. Dr. Al Kuwaiti highlighted alarming instances of “cyber terrorism” occurring within popular online multiplayer games, such as Roblox.
In one disturbing case, extremists created a virtual replica of the Holy Kaaba in Mecca and simulated its destruction by Western forces. This tactic aims to manipulate young players into sympathizing with Iran and radicalizing them against the UAE.
“They are spreading messages telling children that they alone can change the world, encouraging them to carry out ‘lone wolf’ attacks,” Dr. Al Kuwaiti revealed. He emphasized that this represents ideological warfare, with efforts to instill deviant ideologies in youth being a significant concern. Raising awareness and reinforcing national values is seen as the first line of defense against such tactics.
The UAE’s Counter-Offensive
Despite the escalating threat landscape, the UAE has established itself as a global leader in digital security. The nation is ranked number one in cybersecurity by the United Nations and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In response to these emerging threats, the UAE has deployed advanced AI systems to bolster its defenses.
Dr. Al Kuwaiti affirmed, “While the enemy uses AI for malicious purposes, we use it for protection, deterrence, and recovery.” The UAE’s national AI agents are capable of processing and neutralizing the daily influx of 500,000 cyberattacks—a task that would be unmanageable for human operators alone.
Additionally, the UAE Cybersecurity Council issues over 200 daily threat intelligence bulletins to both government and private sector partners. This ensures that if one entity is targeted, the entire national network can be rapidly inoculated against the specific attack pattern.
“Our cyber space is 100 percent secure,” Dr. Al Kuwaiti stated, providing reassurance to the public. He emphasized that the UAE is continuously striving to maintain its top position in cybersecurity, with its model now being adopted by over 25 countries worldwide.
For further details, visit Khaleej Times.
Keep reading for the latest cybersecurity developments, threat intelligence and breaking updates from across the Middle East.
