ON
← Back to feed
The UAE is fighting AI hackers with AI of its own
United States🏛️ PoliticsCenter8/26/2026

The UAE is fighting AI hackers with AI of its own

The United Arab Emirates has reported detecting and containing coordinated cyberattacks targeting its aviation, energy, and education sectors since February 2026, coinciding with regional tensions between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. These attacks, which include phishing, malware, and ransomware, have increased dramatically, with approximately 800,000 daily attempts, four times the prewar level. Cybersecurity experts note that artificial intelligence is enabling hackers to identify vulnerabilities, craft phishing emails, and deploy malicious code at unprecedented speeds. Iranian hackers are accused of using AI throughout their operations, including targeting U.S. institutions since 2013. The UAE’s Cyber Security Council attributes these attacks to around 20 countries and 40 organizations, some linked to Iran. The country has responded by enhancing its cybersecurity infrastructure, including launching initiatives like the UAE Cyber Factory to bolster national sovereignty. Experts warn that the integration of AI in cyber warfare is changing the nature of digital conflict, making it faster and more sophisticated.

The United States has accused Chinese hackers of breaching multiple federal agencies and institutions, including the Justice Department, NASA, the Federal Reserve, and the U.S. Senate. According to a statement released by the Justice Department, these breaches were part of a broader campaign targeting sensitive government networks. The department confirmed that it had taken action by seizing domains associated with two hacking platforms known as “QScan” and “QTRouter.” These platforms were reportedly used to conduct cyber operations against several U.S. government entities and private sector organizations. An affidavit detailed that the affected victims included the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, and four unnamed companies based in the United States and South Korea. The document also indicated that the hacking infrastructure was linked to a China-based firm called Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Company. This firm's clients reportedly include China’s civilian intelligence agency, the Ministry of State Security, and its military, the People’s Liberation Army. The Justice Department stated that the hacking activities have compromised critical infrastructure and sensitive networks globally since at least 2018. Experts in Chinese cyber activity suggest that private contractors often execute such intrusions on behalf of various Chinese government agencies. Dakota Cary, a China analyst with cybersecurity firm SentinelOne, noted that the number of companies providing specialized offensive services has increased significantly over the past decade. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment, and Beijing typically denies involvement in hacking incidents. Reuters could not find immediate contact information for Nanjing Xinjiuwei. Meanwhile, in a separate development, the United Arab Emirates has faced numerous cyberattacks since February, attributed to hackers using artificial intelligence to enhance their capabilities. The UAE's Cyber Security Council reported that the frequency of hacking attempts has risen dramatically, reaching approximately 800,000 daily attempts, compared to around 200,000 before the conflict began. These attacks target key sectors such as aviation, energy, and education. Hackers are leveraging AI to craft phishing emails, identify software vulnerabilities, and develop malicious programs more rapidly than defenders can respond. According to the Cyber Security Council, the speed of these attacks has increased substantially, reducing the time between the discovery of a vulnerability and its exploitation from days to hours. Iranian hackers have utilized AI throughout the conflict, from selecting targets to generating malicious code and deceptive messages designed to entice users to click on them. The U.S. Justice Department recently charged 17 individuals from Iran for a long-running campaign dating back to 2013, which allegedly resulted in the theft of research and designs from 144 U.S. universities and 42 companies. The UAE has encountered attacks originating from approximately 20 countries and over 40 organizations, including groups with ties to Iran. Cybersecurity firms operating in the region have observed an increase in AI-assisted scams, password theft, and the creation of counterfeit company websites. Key sectors such as telecommunications, energy, and government services remain prime targets due to the widespread impact of disruptions in these areas.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

Go to the primary sources (10)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

3 reports

TechCrunch logoTechCrunchIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 758/21/2026
Private equity firm Apollo confirms data breach amid hacking wave targeting financial giants

Private equity firm Apollo Global Management has confirmed a data breach where hackers accessed its cloud systems and stole personal information, including names, birth dates, contact details, and Social Security numbers. The breach occurred between July 6 and July 10, reportedly through a social engineering attack impersonating IT support. The incident follows warnings from Google researchers about a broader hacking campaign targeting financial institutions and private equity firms. Hackers have allegedly extorted companies for ransoms, with some payments reaching up to $750,000. While Apollo did not confirm if they paid a ransom, Reuters reported that Apollo was among several firms targeted, though it remains unclear which were successfully breached. Apollo, managing over $938 billion in assets, has approximately 5,000 employees.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a data breach involving a major private equity firm and associated cyber threats. It presents factual details without overtly favoring one side, citing multiple sources including the company itself, Google researchers, and Reuters. There is no clear ideological framing or bias

Why factuality (85): The article reports on a confirmed data breach at Apollo Global Management, citing a letter filed with California’s attorney general as a primary source. It provides specific details about the timeframe, type of data compromised, and mentions the involvement of security researchers and Google. Howev

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the facts in a straightforward manner but uses emotionally charged language such as 'stole reams of personal information' and 'hacking wave,' which may influence reader perception. While it doesn't overtly take sides, the framing suggests a concerning trend in cybersecurity thre

HuffPost logoHuffPostIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 858/26/2026
U.S. Says Chinese Hackers Broke Into Justice Department, NASA, Federal Reserve, Senate And More

The U.S. government announced that Chinese hackers breached multiple federal agencies including the Justice Department, NASA, the Federal Reserve, and the U.S. Senate, as well as other sensitive institutions. The Justice Department stated it had taken control of two hacking platforms, 'QScan' and 'QTRouter,' linked to a Chinese-based company, Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Company, which reportedly serves Chinese intelligence and military entities. The affidavit cited additional victims such as the Department of Energy and health-related organizations. The Chinese Embassy declined to comment, while experts note that private firms often conduct cyber operations on behalf of Chinese government agencies.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a U.S.-led attribution of cyber attacks to Chinese actors, citing official statements and an affidavit. While the subject involves international relations and national security, the framing remains neutral, avoiding overtly positive or negative language

Why factuality (75): The article accurately reports the U.S. disruption of a Chinese hacking operation targeting multiple government agencies, including the Justice Department, NASA, Federal Reserve, and U.S. Senate. It mentions the seizure of domains related to QScan and QTRouter, and identifies the Chinese firm Nanjin

Why objectivity (85): The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, presenting facts without overt bias. It includes a quote from a cybersecurity expert and acknowledges that Beijing typically denies involvement in hacking. However, it frames the actions as a response to 'Chinese hackers' without delving deeply into t

Rest of World logoRest of WorldIndependentCenterFactual 0Objective 08/24/2026
The UAE is fighting AI hackers with AI of its own

The United Arab Emirates has reported detecting and containing coordinated cyberattacks targeting its aviation, energy, and education sectors since February 2026, coinciding with regional tensions between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. These attacks, which include phishing, malware, and ransomware, have increased dramatically, with approximately 800,000 daily attempts, four times the prewar level. Cybersecurity experts note that artificial intelligence is enabling hackers to identify vulnerabilities, craft phishing emails, and deploy malicious code at unprecedented speeds. Iranian hackers are accused of using AI throughout their operations, including targeting U.S. institutions since 2013. The UAE’s Cyber Security Council attributes these attacks to around 20 countries and 40 organizations, some linked to Iran. The country has responded by enhancing its cybersecurity infrastructure, including launching initiatives like the UAE Cyber Factory to bolster national sovereignty. Experts warn that the integration of AI in cyber warfare is changing the nature of digital conflict, making it faster and more sophisticated.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced overview of the evolving threat landscape and the UAE’s response, citing multiple sources including government agencies, cybersecurity firms, and international research groups. While it highlights the growing role of AI in cyber warfare, it does not overtly favor any側

Why factuality (0): This article discusses the UAE's response to cyberattacks and mentions Iranian hackers using AI in cyber operations. While it touches on related themes, it does not address the specific cyberattacks on U.S. water facilities or provide any details about the primary source document. As such, it lacks

Why objectivity (0): Although the article mentions Iranian cyber activities, it does not align with the primary source document's focus on U.S. water facility attacks. The tone remains neutral, but the content is not aligned with the core event.

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories