AI technology is advancing rapidly, and so are the risks that come with it. As more charities adopt artificial intelligence to streamline operations and improve services, a new wave of cybersecurity threats is gradually emerging in the background. So, the question is: Is artificial intelligence (AI) itself becoming a cyber risk?
In many ways, yes. While AI offers excellent opportunities for innovation, it also introduces new potential vulnerabilities. AI models can be manipulated, hijacked, or subjected to data leaks. Threat actors are already using AI to launch more convincing phishing attacks, create deepfake content, and exploit system weaknesses at scale.
According to the UK Government’s latest report on the cybersecurity of AI, a comprehensive assessment commissioned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the complexity and opacity of AI systems are key factors that make them problematic to secure. The report systematically identified and mapped vulnerabilities across the entire AI lifecycle, from design and development through to deployment and maintenance.
And with 76% of UK charities already exploring or integrating AI tools into their daily operations, these organisations face an increasingly complex threat environment. Already stretched by limited resources while handling sensitive data, charities are particularly vulnerable since these AI-specific risks span every phase of AI implementation and can be exploited in ways that traditional cybersecurity measures may not adequately address.
In this blog, we’ll explore the explicit AI-related cyber threats charities should keep an eye on. We’ll cover how cybercriminals are weaponising AI, what makes these threats particularly dangerous for the non-profit sector, and most importantly, what you can do to protect your organisation.
The Top AI Cyber Risks Facing the Charity Sector
Charities are progressively relying on AI to analyse data, generate content, engage supporters and automate processes, but so are cybercriminals. Attackers are using AI to scale their operations, personalise attacks, and exploit vulnerabilities with greater speed and precision. Below, we explore the most pressing AI cyber threats charities need to be aware of.
AI-Powered Phishing Attacks on Donors and Staff
Phishing is nothing new, but AI has amplified it. Attackers can now use generative AI tools to create highly convincing, personalised emails that mimic the tone and writing style of known contacts. These messages are often free from the usual red flags like bad grammar or clumsy formatting, making them harder to detect.
For charities, this creates a serious risk. AI-generated phishing emails can trick staff into sharing credentials or donors into revealing financial information, damaging both trust and operations.
Deepfake Scams
Deepfakes use AI to create realistic fake videos or audio clips, and they’re becoming alarmingly sophisticated. Imagine receiving a voicemail that sounds exactly like your CEO authorising a fund transfer.
In the wrong hands, deepfakes can be used to impersonate leaders, mislead stakeholders, or run fraudulent campaigns. For charities, where relationships and trust are vital, the reputational damage can be irreparable.
Adversarial Attacks
These are deliberate attempts to fool AI systems by feeding them specially crafted input data. Attackers can use two main approaches:
Data Poisoning
AI systems learn from data, and that data can be corrupted. In a data poisoning attack, malicious actors subtly alter the training data an AI model relies on. This can alter the AI’s behaviour, reduce accuracy, or create backdoors.
For charities handling sensitive beneficiary information or relying on AI for making informed decisions, poisoned data could lead to harmful outcomes, both ethically and operationally.
Adversarial Examples
Attackers can exploit the unknowable inner workings by crafting malicious input data designed to deceive the system by creating adversarial examples that trick the model into misclassifying genuine threats as benign.
The Black Box Problem
AI systems often operate in ways even their developers don’t fully understand, a phenomenon known as the “black box” problem. When algorithms make decisions about data access, threat detection, or operational automation without clear logic or visibility, it becomes challenging to identify when something’s gone wrong.
This opacity creates significant security vulnerabilities. For nonprofits using AI tools for donor analytics or service delivery, a lack of clarity can mask malicious activity or systemic bias until it’s too late to act.
Automated Malware and Ransomware Campaigns
AI also gives attackers the ability to automate and adapt malware in real time. These AI-driven attacks can evade traditional security tools by learning how they work and evolving to avoid them.
In the charity sector, where security budgets are often limited, AI-powered ransomware can rapidly lock down files, encrypt systems, and demand payment, crippling essential services.
Has AI Increased Cyber Attacks? Why AI Cyber Risks Are a Growing Concern for Charities
In short: yes, AI has accelerated the pace, scale, and sophistication of cyber-attacks. While artificial intelligence itself isn’t malicious, it’s a powerful tool that can be used by attackers to automate and personalise their tactics, making them faster, smarter and more destructive.
A 2023 UK Government report on the cyber security of AI found that the use of AI is already increasing existing threats such as phishing, malware, and social engineering. The report also warned that AI will continue to “lower the barrier to entry” for less-skilled threat actors, enabling them to carry out attacks that previously required advanced knowledge.
According to the UK’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024, nearly one-third of large charities reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack in the past year. As AI integration into existing processes and tools grows, the risk of unintentional vulnerabilities also increases. Nonprofits must take the necessary actions to mitigate potential risks.
Real-World Examples of AI-Driven Cyber Attacks
AI isn’t just a helpful tool; it’s also a potent weapon in the wrong hands. For charities handling sensitive donor and beneficiary data, the implications of getting AI security wrong can be harmful, both reputationally and operationally. Some real-world examples of AI cyber attacks include:
- Voice cloning scams: In one case, attackers used AI-generated audio to impersonate a company executive’s voice and trick a bank into transferring £200,000. Imagine what damage this could cause if used against a charity’s finance team.
- AI-generated deepfake scams: A fraud ring in China recently used deepfakes during a video call to convince an employee to transfer funds. The scam succeeded because the victim believed they were speaking to their boss.
- AI-enhanced phishing campaigns: Security researchers have seen a sharp increase in AI-written phishing emails that evade spam filters and dupe users with flawless grammar, branding, and personalisation.
Practical Steps for Charities to Mitigate AI Cyber Risks
The great news is that there are practical, proactive steps charities can take to protect themselves, without needing an in-house AI expert or unlimited budget.
Responsible Use of AI
First and foremost, charities should be deliberate about where and how AI is used. It’s attractive to adopt the newest AI tools to save time or cut costs, but this should always be balanced with risk assessments, ethical considerations and data protection standards.
- Review AI tools for compliance with GDPR and other relevant regulations
- Avoid using AI with sensitive beneficiary data unless strict safeguards are in place
- Ensure transparency in how decisions are made, especially for automated processes
Cybersecurity Training for Staff and Volunteers
Human error remains one of the largest vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. AI can make phishing harder to spot, but a well-trained team is your first line of defence.
- Run regular phishing simulations and scenario-based cyber training
- Educate staff on AI-specific threats like deepfakes and voice impersonation
- Encourage a “stop and check” culture before transferring funds or clicking links
Strengthen Core Cyber Hygiene
Many AI-driven threats exploit weak systems. Charities should continue to focus on getting the basics right:
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all accounts
- Keep software, systems and firewalls up to date
- Regularly back up data and test disaster recovery plans
Use AI Defensively
AI isn’t just a hazard; it can also be part of the solution. Charities can explore AI-driven cybersecurity tools that help detect anomalies, monitor suspicious activity and respond to threats in real time.
- Consider endpoint protection platforms with AI-based threat detection
- Use email filtering tools that analyse behaviour, not just content
- Automate routine patching and updates to close known vulnerabilities
Building Charity Resilience Against AI Cyber Risks
AI is transforming how charities operate, but it’s also altering how attackers think. From hyper-targeted phishing scams to deepfake fraud and data manipulation, the risks introduced by artificial intelligence are far-reaching and fast-moving.
As we’ve explored, these threats don’t just stem from the technology itself, but from how it’s used, understood, and secured. The truth is that traditional cybersecurity practices alone aren’t enough to protect AI. Organisations must take a holistic approach to cyber security, one that secures every stage of the AI lifecycle, from development and deployment to monitoring and response.
For charities, this means:
- developing awareness
- adopting responsible AI practices
- strengthening cyber resilience across systems and people
- Continuous monitoring: Ongoing threat detection and response capabilities
- implement internal AI policies.
That’s where Qlic comes in. We help charities stay secure in a world where digital threats are always evolving. Our IT and cyber security support is built with nonprofits in mind, so you get protection that truly fits your needs. Whether you’re just starting to explore AI tools or already weaving them into your work, we’ll make sure you stay safe, compliant, and confident as you move forward.
Start securing your organisation against emerging AI cyber risks, so you can keep focusing on the work that really matters.
AI Charity Cyber Risks FAQ
What are the 4 levels of AI risk?
AI risks are typically grouped into four levels based on how severe and complex they are:
- Low Risk – Minimal harm or disruption if compromised (e.g. spelling suggestions, automated email sorting).
- Moderate Risk – Could affect decision-making process or service delivery (e.g. chatbots handling client queries).
- High Risk – Impacts people’s rights, safety, or financial stability (e.g. AI used for screening beneficiaries or assessing risk).
- Unacceptable Risk – Poses significant danger to public safety or rights, such as real-time biometric surveillance or manipulative deepfake use.
Charities using AI, even at a basic level, should understand where their tools sit within this framework to ensure proper safeguards are in place.
How is AI a threat to security?
AI becomes a security threat when it’s used to enhance traditional attacks or exploit new vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals can use AI to:
- Generate realistic phishing emails
- Clone voices for social engineering
- Create malware that adapts to defences
- Automate attacks at scale
AI can also be a risk internally if poorly configured or trained on biased, poisoned, or sensitive data. It’s not just what the tool does—but how it’s used and protected.
Will AI replace hackers?
Not exactly, but it will make them more efficient. AI won’t replace human hackers but it does allow less-skilled attackers to launch campaigns that once required technical expertise. AI can also speed up reconnaissance, automate malware deployment, and even write exploit code.
In short, AI won’t replace hackers but it’ll make them more dangerous.
What is generative AI and cyber threats?
Generative AI refers to tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and image or audio generators that can create new content based on prompts. In the context of cybersecurity, it’s a double-edged sword.
While it can support productivity and content creation, cybercriminals are already using generative AI to:
- Write convincing phishing messages
- Clone branding or websites
- Fabricate deepfake audio or video
- Generate malicious code snippets
For charities, this means facing threats that are harder to spot, more persuasive, and increasingly automated.
