New research shows the growing use of AI-powered hacking systems in cybercrime operations.

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The trend was uncovered in an investigation by cybersecurity firm NorForge, findings from which were published Monday (Oct. 19).

The company’s investigation into publicly exposed artificial intelligence (AI)-driven penetration-testing control panels has found how they are widely used in malicious cyber operations. Among these panels is Cairn, the report said.

“In this setting, Cairn is an AI-powered hacking system,” NorForge said. “Give it a target and an objective, and it can coordinate AI agents to investigate the target, search for security weaknesses, and attempt to break in.”

According to the report, more than 20 exposed Cairn panels were identified as likely connected to malicious activity, offering an “unusually detailed view” into how bad actors choose targets, direct autonomous agents, exploit weaknesses and gain persistent access to compromised systems.

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“It’s a new world now,” Snorre Fagerland, principal threat researcher at the cybersecurity company NorForge, told Reuters in a report on his company’s findings.

While NorForge did not identify victims by name, Reuters said it was able to determine their identities through an independent review of the hacker’s activity on Cairn. The targeted websites included farm equipment firm Deere , home appliance company SharkNinja and engine manufacturer Cummins .

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