AI-Driven Phishing Campaigns Surge in 2026

Severity: High (Score: 68.0)

Sources: Itweb.Co.Za, Theregister, www.knowbe4.com

Summary

According to KnowBe4's latest Phishing Threat Trends report, 86% of phishing campaigns in the past six months have utilized AI, marking a significant increase from 80% in 2024 and 84% in 2025. The report highlights that AI is not only enhancing the personalization of phishing messages but also automating reconnaissance and information gathering, which allows attackers to craft more convincing lures. Notably, there has been a 49% rise in phishing attacks involving calendar invites and a 41% increase in Microsoft Teams messages impersonating colleagues. These tactics often lead to credential theft and unauthorized access. The report indicates that AI-generated phishing campaigns are 4.5 times more effective than those crafted by humans. As organizations face these evolving threats, KnowBe4 emphasizes the need for advanced security measures to combat AI-driven phishing attacks. Key Points: • 86% of phishing campaigns now use AI, up from 80% in 2024. • AI enhances the personalization and effectiveness of phishing messages. • There has been a 49% increase in phishing attacks using calendar invites.

Key Entities

• Phishing (attack_type)
• T1566.002 - Spearphishing Link (mitre_attack)
• T1566 - Phishing (mitre_attack)
• Docusign (tool)
• Microsoft Teams (tool)