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CyberWire Daily

AI as Tradecraft: How Threat Actors Are Operationalizing AI [Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast]

CyberWire Daily

N2K Networks, Inc.

Tech News, Daily News, News, Technology

4.81.1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 March 2026

⏱️ 21 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Greg Schlomer and Vlad H. to discuss new research on Jasper Sleet, a North Korean–aligned threat actor incorporating AI into active operations.  The conversation examines how AI is being integrated across the attack lifecycle — from highly tailored phishing lures and fabricated job applicant personas to accelerating malware development and refining operational workflows. Rather than treating AI as a novelty, Jasper Sleet is using it to increase speed, scale, and adaptability while reducing many of the friction points that once slowed campaigns.  They also explore what this shift means for defenders. As AI compresses iteration cycles and lowers barriers to entry, traditional attribution signals evolve, influence operations become more convincing, and defensive teams must tighten the loop between intelligence, detection, and response. This is less about experimentation and more about the operationalization of AI as part of modern tradecraft.  In this episode you’ll learn:       How AI is changing the speed at which cyber operations evolve  Why jailbreaking AI models is often trivial for motivated adversaries   The strategic implications of AI leveling the playing field between threat actors  Some questions we ask:      Is there resistance among experienced malware authors to adopting AI?  Are we seeing fully AI-written malware in the wild?  What stands out about Jasper Sleet’s use of AI?    Resources:   View Greg Schloemer on LinkedIn   View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  The BlueHat Podcast  Uncovering Hidden Risks      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts   Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider    The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft, Hangar Studios and distributed as part of N2K media network.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome to the Microsoft Threat Intelligence podcast.

0:08.0

I'm Sherrod Grippo.

0:10.0

Ever wanted to step into the shadowy realm of digital espionage?

0:13.0

Cybercrime, social engineering, fraud.

0:16.0

Well, each week, dive deep with us into the underground.

0:20.0

Come here for Microsoft's elite threat intelligence researchers.

0:23.9

Join us as we decode mysteries, expose hidden adversaries, and shape the future of cybersecurity.

0:30.8

It might get a little weird.

0:33.6

But don't worry, I'm your guide to the back alleys of the threat landscape.

0:38.1

Welcome to the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast.

0:41.9

I'm Sherrod DeGrippo from Microsoft.

0:43.7

A lot of times on this show, we go deep into how threat actors operate.

0:48.0

We talk about what they're changing, what they're scaling, and what all of our defenders need to know to do things differently.

0:56.5

And today, we are talking about something that is probably going to define most of the rest of our lives when it comes to defense.

1:03.5

And that, of course, is how threat actors are using AI. So joining me today are two threat

1:09.8

intelligence analysts from Microsoft. They have worked on this research. And I am joined by Greg Schlomer and Vlad. Thank you for joining me.

1:18.6

Thanks for having a shared. Good to be back. Good to have you back, Greg. Greg was also on an episode called Between Two Greggs. And you can go back on the podcast and listen to that episode,

1:30.1

which is fantastic. It also includes Greg Lesniewicz of ProofPoint, and it's a great episode

1:35.6

between two Greggs.

1:36.7

Or does that one stack up on the listener ranks here? It's got to be up there. It's a good one.

1:41.0

Really?

1:41.7

Yes. Sure.

...

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