Researchers warn AI systems are highly effective at manipulating people, not just machines

At Black Hat USA 2026, security researcher Fred Heiding and former US National Cyber Director Chris Inglis presented findings showing AI's growing role in social engineering scams, which the FBI says cost Americans nearly $21 billion last year. Heiding argued that while AI can be used to defend against AI-driven technical attacks, it cannot easily counter AI's ability to psychologically manipulate humans.