WorldTOP STORY

Ransomware attacks sweep Japan, A.I. may be making them easier

Critical infrastructure across Japan has been targeted in a surge of cyberattacks, and experts link the rise to artificial intelligence; the robots are apparently helping.

On air: Hank Ledger, Dale Bearman and Kenji Moonfield on The Five O'Clock
Published 5:34 PM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: Tedder · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: A data center — Photo: Tedder · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “Ransomware Attacks Have Swept Japan. A.I. May Be Making Them Easier.”
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 5:34 PM ET on The Five O'Clock, by Hank Ledger, Dale Bearman and Kenji Moonfield.
Topics: Japan, AI.
BBN covered this story before: BBN Picks: what to watch on Netflix tonight (October 10).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The New York TimesRansomware Attacks Have Swept Japan. A.I. May Be Making Them Easier.

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorRansomware attacks have swept Japan, hitting critical infrastructure, and experts say artificial intelligence may be making them easier to pull off.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe machines are now teaching the criminals, which saves the criminals a fortune in night school.

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