Cybersecurity company ESET says it has uncovered the world’s first known case of artificial intelligence-powered ransomware, marking what experts describe as a new era in cybercrime.

The malware, dubbed PromptLock, uses AI to adapt and disguise itself, making it harder to detect and defend against.

ESET has warned that Irish businesses and public bodies must take this as a serious wake-up call, given the country’s record as a target for major cyberattacks.

George Foley of ESET Ireland said: “AI has now joined the cybercriminal’s toolkit. Ireland cannot afford to be complacent we’ve seen the impact ransomware can have on health services and businesses.

"This development makes attacks faster, smarter, and more damaging.”

Ransomware attacks are estimated to have cost Irish businesses tens of millions of euros in recent years, with the 2021 HSE attack during the pandemic crippling many health services.

ESET is urging organisations to strengthen defences, train staff, and maintain offline backups as core protections.

Earlier this year, it was reported that the international cybercrime gang behind the HSE attack had been taken down by authorities in the US. 

It was reported the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau played a central role in the “major disruption” operation which took down the critical infrastructure of the BlackSuit Ransomware Group.

The group is responsible for extorting over €300m in ransom payments since 2022 from victims who were the targets of ransomware attacks.

The Irish Times reported the BlackSuit gang is a successor to the Conti ransomware group, which demanded a ransom from the Irish Government after locking down the systems of the HSE.

(Pic: Getty Images)