The newest AI malware vs. 40 years of hacker culture

AI-generated malware has officially arrived. But does it matter all that much? 

This week on Security Intelligence, Suja Viswesan, Dave Bales and Dustin Heywood join us to discuss VoidLink, which might just be the first thoroughly documented case of a malware framework generated with significant AI help. The question is: What really changes when malware is no longer the handiwork of human hackers? 

We also explore the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026, where CEOs and CISOs are split on what they fear most: cyber fraud or ransomware? Then we cover the debate over data protection vs. service resilience, and we dig into the takedown of RedVDS, a major player in the cybercrime-as-a-service supply chain. 

Finally, we reflect on the 40th anniversary of “The Hacker Manifesto,” asking what’s changed—and what hasn’t—in hacker culture. 

All that and more on Security Intelligence 

00:00 -- Introduction

01:40 -- CEOs vs. CISOs: 2026 cyberthreats  

11:10 -- VoidLink: Documented AI malware  

19:28 -- Are we too worried about our data?  

27:28 -- Cybercrime supply chains  

34:05 -- 40 years of hacking culture 

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity. 

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