Artificial intelligence company Anthropic has warned that suspected Chinese-linked hacking groups are increasingly using AI tools to support sophisticated cyber espionage and digital surveillance campaigns.

The company said its internal monitoring detected attempts by threat actors associated with China to leverage generative AI systems for intelligence gathering, malware research, phishing strategies and operational planning.

Anthropic noted that while AI tools are not creating entirely new forms of cyberattacks, they are helping hackers improve the speed, scale and efficiency of existing espionage operations.

Cybersecurity experts say AI-powered systems can assist attackers in generating convincing phishing emails, automating reconnaissance tasks and analyzing large volumes of stolen or publicly available data.

The report highlights growing international concerns over the use of artificial intelligence in state-linked cyber operations as governments and technology companies race to strengthen digital security frameworks.

Anthropic stated that it has implemented safeguards and threat detection mechanisms aimed at identifying malicious activity and preventing misuse of its AI models.

Security analysts warn that AI-driven cyber threats could become increasingly difficult to detect as hackers adopt more advanced automation and language-generation capabilities.

The findings come amid escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding cybersecurity, digital surveillance and competition over AI leadership between major global powers.

Technology observers say the incident underscores how artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a new battleground in international cyber warfare and intelligence operations.

Global cybersecurity agencies have repeatedly warned that state-backed hacking groups are intensifying attacks targeting governments, critical infrastructure, technology firms and research institutions worldwide.

Experts believe the growing integration of AI into cyber operations may force governments and companies to accelerate investments in AI-based defensive security systems to counter increasingly sophisticated digital threats.