Mark Cuban Says AI Could Increase the Scale of Brute-Force Cyberattacks
Artificial intelligence could make brute-force cyberattacks more widespread by allowing attackers to deploy large numbers of automated agents at the same time, according to entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban.
Speaking during a healthcare-focused event in Nashville, Cuban described the threat as a matter of scale rather than an entirely new form of hacking. In his view, AI could enable attackers to run many more attempts against digital systems, increasing the chances that one eventually succeeds.
To explain the idea, Cuban compared the potential behavior of AI-driven attack tools to a large swarm of cockroaches. Even if most attempts fail, a sufficiently large number of automated agents could continue searching for weaknesses until one finds a way inside.
Brute-force attacks typically involve repeatedly testing passwords, access keys or other combinations until the correct credentials are discovered. AI could accelerate that process by coordinating numerous systems, adapting tactics and prioritizing the most promising targets.
However, Cuban stressed that the same technology could also benefit cybersecurity teams. AI-powered defensive tools may be able to monitor networks, identify suspicious activity and respond to attacks at a comparable scale.
“I’m not a doomer at all,” Cuban said, presenting artificial intelligence as a technology that could strengthen both sides of the cybersecurity battle. The outcome, he suggested, may depend on which side can deploy AI more effectively and respond more quickly.
No particular cyberattack or commercial defense product was identified in connection with the comments. There were also no specific figures showing how much AI could increase the frequency or success rate of brute-force attacks.
The discussion reflects a growing concern among security professionals: AI may lower the cost of launching attacks while making them faster, more persistent and easier to automate. At the same time, organizations are increasingly exploring AI-based systems to detect threats and limit damage before attackers can gain control.
