Artificial Intelligence and Critical Infrastructure: When a Tool Becomes a Threat

3. apríla 2026

Artificial intelligence is changing the rules of the game in critical infrastructure protection. It is no longer merely an aid in defence — it is also becoming a weapon in the hands of attackers. The question is no longer whether AI will enter the critical infrastructure environment, but how quickly we can prepare for this change.

AI Is No Longer an Experiment

Just two years ago, artificial intelligence was, for most organisations, more of a conference topic than an operational reality. In 2026, the situation is fundamentally different. AI is moving from laboratories directly into the control systems, monitoring centres, and decision-making processes upon which the functioning of critical infrastructure depends. Energy grids, transport systems, water utilities, and telecommunications operators — all of these sectors are increasingly deploying machine learning algorithms for optimisation, predictive maintenance, and process automation.

This development brings undeniable advantages: faster anomaly detection, more efficient resource management, and the ability to process volumes of data that human operators would be unable to handle. At the same time, however, it opens a new chapter of vulnerabilities for which many organisations are not prepared.

A double-edged sword

According to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2026, artificial intelligence has risen year-on-year from tenth to second place among the greatest global business risks. Cyber incidents remain in first place for the fifth consecutive year, and it is precisely AI that is pushing them to a new level of sophistication.

The problem is that AI is not merely a defensive tool. The very same technology that helps detect a cyber attack in its early stages can also enable an attacker to craft a more convincing phishing email, automate vulnerability scanning, or generate deepfake content to manipulate employees of critical infrastructure operators. The new generation of attacks is faster, more covert, and capable of adapting to defensive mechanisms in real time.

Where the greatest risks lie

For critical infrastructure, AI poses a threat across several key areas.

The first is dependence on external suppliers of AI solutions. Organisations increasingly rely on models and services provided by third parties, creating new links in the supply chain that can be exploited. The uncritical adoption of AI models from unverified sources opens the door to attacks that may be extremely difficult to detect.

The second area is data manipulation. AI systems are only as reliable as the quality of the data on which they were trained. Targeted contamination of training data can lead a control system to make flawed decisions — for example, incorrectly assessing the state of an energy grid or ignoring signals of an impending equipment failure.

The third — and perhaps least discussed — threat is the automation of social engineering. Generative AI is capable of producing perfectly personalised messages, fabricated voice recordings, or videos that can be used to manipulate operators and technicians within critical infrastructure. In an environment where a single wrong decision can trigger cascading consequences, this risk is exceptionally serious.

The European and Slovak dimension

The European Union is responding to these challenges through the regulatory framework of the AI Act, which is gradually coming into effect. Rules for high-risk AI systems — which include systems deployed in critical infrastructure — will enter into full force between 2026 and 2027. Organisations will be required to document how they use AI, manage risks, and ensure compliance with the new requirements.

In Slovakia, this context is all the more significant given that Act No. 367/2024 Coll. on Critical Infrastructure and the approved National Cybersecurity Strategy for 2026–2030 are establishing a new regulatory framework. Connecting these two lines — the protection of critical infrastructure and the regulation of artificial intelligence — is becoming a necessity.

"Artificial intelligence is a reality in the critical infrastructure environment today, not a distant vision. Organisations that underestimate its risks expose themselves to threats that traditional security procedures cannot address. The key lies in a systemic approach — from the security of the AI solutions supply chain, through data protection, to the education of the people who work with these technologies on a daily basis," states Tibor Straka, President of the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic.

Preparedness as an investment, not a cost

The answer to growing risks is not the rejection of artificial intelligence. On the contrary, it is its responsible and secure deployment. This requires several parallel steps: building internal competencies in AI security, thorough classification and documentation of deployed AI systems, regular review of supplier relationships, and above all, investment in employee education.

Experience from other areas of critical infrastructure — from GPS signal protection to resilience against extreme weather events — demonstrates that the most effective defence is diversification and preparedness. The same principle applies to AI: organisations that build the capacity to identify risks and respond to them in a timely manner will be in a fundamentally stronger position than those that wait for the first incident.

Did you know…?

According to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2026 survey, 42 per cent of respondents identified cyber incidents as the greatest risk. This is the highest score in the history of this ranking.
Artificial intelligence ranked second as the greatest security risk, identified by 32 per cent of respondents — moving from 10th to 2nd place among global business risks in a single year.
Generative AI is now estimated to be used by more than one billion users worldwide, making it the fastest-adopted digital technology in history.
The European AI Act classifies AI systems in critical infrastructure as high-risk, which brings stricter requirements for their security and transparency.

Artificial intelligence is becoming an inseparable part of the critical infrastructure environment. With this comes responsibility — not only technological, but also strategic and organisational. That is precisely why it is essential for critical infrastructure entities to approach this topic comprehensively and with the support of expert partners. The Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic (AKI SR) provides its members with a platform for the exchange of experience, access to expert knowledge, and support in implementing security measures — including those related to the deployment of, and protection against, artificial intelligence.

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