Real-world AI threats in cybersecurity aren't science fiction

For some, fears of AI lie in images of robot overlords and self-aware malware -- the stuff of science fiction. Among the many threats we will deal with in the coming years, sentient AI taking over the world isn't one of them. But AI that empowers cybercriminals is a very serious reality, even as some espouse the benefits of AI in cybersecurity. Over the past decade, advances in technology have reduced the time criminals need to modify malware samples or identify vulnerabilities. Those tools have become readily available, leading to an increase in the development and distribution of "regular" threats, like adware, trojans, and ransomware.