Iran turns to ChatGPT and Gemini to boost cyber warfare capabilities: Report

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping battlefields, intelligence gathering and cyber warfare around the world. Now, according to a new report by the Financial Times, Iran is increasingly turning to AI tools such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini to strengthen its cyber capabilities and military research efforts.

The report, based on interviews with cybersecurity researchers and Iranian officials, suggests that AI is helping Iranian-linked groups conduct more sophisticated cyber operations while also supporting broader military initiatives ranging from drone development to electronic warfare.

While Iran remains behind major powers such as the United States and China in advanced AI capabilities, experts told the Financial Times that readily available AI tools are helping close some of the gap by making cyber operations faster, cheaper and more effective.

From phishing scams to fake identities

One of the most significant changes highlighted in the report is the way AI is transforming cyberattacks.

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Researchers say Iranian-linked actors are using generative AI systems to create convincing phishing emails, write malicious code and develop realistic online personas designed to deceive targets. These AI-generated identities can engage in lengthy conversations, gradually building trust before attempting to extract information or persuade victims to click malicious links.

According to the Financial Times, Israel has been among the targets of such campaigns. Some phishing messages reportedly posed as opportunities for collaboration with Iranian intelligence, using increasingly sophisticated social engineering techniques.

The growing use of AI is also making cyber operations more accessible. Tasks that once required specialised technical expertise can now be assisted by large language models, allowing attackers to generate content and conduct research at a much faster pace.

Technology companies are already monitoring the trend. The report notes that Google identified activity linked to APT42, an Iranian state-associated hacking group, using its Gemini AI model earlier this year. Researchers reportedly observed the group employing the system for research purposes, including gathering information related to American F-35 fighter aircraft.

AI's role beyond cyberspace

The report suggests Iran's ambitions extend far beyond phishing campaigns and online influence operations.

According to the Financial Times, Iranian military organisations are increasingly exploring AI applications in drone technology, battlefield decision-making and electromagnetic warfare. Artificial intelligence is reportedly being used to analyse information more quickly, support command-and-control systems and improve targeting capabilities.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has publicly claimed that some of its cruise missiles incorporate AI-assisted navigation, guidance and electronic warfare evasion technologies.

Iranian analysts are also reportedly using AI-powered translation systems to process foreign-language military research and technical documents more efficiently. This allows researchers to absorb and analyse international developments at a pace that would have been difficult using traditional methods.

Despite these efforts, experts cited by the Financial Times caution that Iran still trails the world's leading military powers in AI adoption. The United States, for example, has integrated advanced AI systems into military planning and intelligence analysis, using platforms that can process vast amounts of battlefield information and support operational decision-making.

Even so, analysts say Iran has demonstrated a knack for adapting emerging technologies to its needs. As artificial intelligence becomes more widely available, the barriers to entry are falling, allowing countries with fewer resources to expand their cyber and military capabilities in ways that were once far more difficult.

For security experts, that means AI is no longer simply a commercial technology. Increasingly, it is becoming a strategic tool in geopolitical competition, cyber conflict and modern warfare.