Microsoft has offered European governments a free cybersecurity program launched on Wednesday to strengthen their defenses against cyber threats, including those enhanced by artificial intelligence, according to a statement.
Following a surge in cyberattacks in Europe—many linked to state actors from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia—the program aims to boost AI-based threat intelligence sharing and help prevent and disrupt attacks.
“If we can bring more of what we developed in the United States to Europe, it will strengthen cybersecurity for a greater number of European institutions,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith in an interview with Reuters.
“You will see other initiatives from us later this month.”
Malicious actors are increasingly using generative AI to scale and amplify their operations—from disrupting critical infrastructure to spreading disinformation.
While attackers have turned AI into a weapon, Smith noted that AI also offers defensive tools.
“We do not believe that artificial intelligence can evade our ability to detect its use or threats generally,” Smith said.
“Our goal is to develop AI as a defensive tool faster than as an offensive weapon.”
Microsoft monitors any malicious use of its AI models and prevents the use of its AI products by known cybercriminals.
Among the AI-generated deepfakes are images of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky supposedly surrendering to Russian demands in 2022, as well as a fabricated 2023 audio recording that influenced Slovak elections.
Smith noted that audio has been easier to fake than video so far.