First autonomous AI-driven extortion attack recorded in Italy
Italy recorded the first documented case of an autonomous AI-driven extortion attack in 2025, using a generative AI model that adapts messages and timing based on victim responses. The incident occurred amid a broader surge in cyberattacks across Italy, with over 116,000 attacks recorded and ransomware incidents rising 48% year-over-year.
What happened
In 2025, Italy recorded the first documented case of a cybercrime extortion attack generated entirely by an AI model, according to Tinexta Cyber's Threat Landscape 2025 report released on 5 February 2026.
The attack used a generative AI model capable of autonomously modulating messages, timing, and methods based on the target's reactions, representing a shift from traditional phishing to adaptive, contextualised attacks.
Reported impact
Over 116,000 cyberattacks occurred in Italy during 2025, with ransomware attacks increasing 48%, at a frequency 17% above the global average of one attack every five minutes.
Index analysis
According to Tinexta Cyber, the use of generative AI models trained on real data stolen during breaches will enable cybercriminals to conduct increasingly targeted, contextualised and difficult-to-detect attacks in coming years.
The report notes that over 80% of global cyber threats have economic objectives including data theft, system disruption and ransom demands, with compromised credentials increasing 40% in 2025.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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