Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: Countries most at risk from AI-led cyberattacks revealed in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
The number of hacks has been increasing worldwide. — © AFP/File Noel Celis
According to a March 2026 report on the effects artificial intelligence has on cybersecurity, Bosnia and Herzegovina is at the biggest risk because of fast-paced AI adoption.
The report comes from a cybersecurity company called Check Point. The report compares countries’ digital defences to the levels of AI-fuelled cyber threats.
The study looked at 38 countries, evaluating them by three key criteria, influencing AI’s impact on cybersecurity. The report considered the extent of AI integration (in %) and the cybersecurity levels, which were quantified by policies, infrastructure, cyber incident response and crisis management. These factors were compared against the cybersecurity threat level that was calculated as % of exposure to the Botnet (device infection), Infostealer (personal information theft), banking trojans, ransomware, and mobile attacks. Lower Security Index highlights the countries less prepared for AI threats.
The countries with the biggest gap between AI adoption and security
| Country | AI Diffusion | Cybersecurity Policy | Cybersecurity of Critical Information Infrastructure | Cyber Incident Response | Cyber Crisis Management | Total Cyber Threat Exposure (%) | Security Index |
| Bosnia And Herzegovina | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14% | 22 |
| Kuwait | 19% | 40 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 19% | 30 |
| Qatar | 38% | 60 | 0 | 21 | 56 | 6% | 39 |
| Jamaica | 22% | 40 | 0 | 57 | 33 | 15% | 40 |
| Costa Rica | 27% | 40 | 25 | 64 | 22 | 6% | 47 |
| Argentina | 20% | 60 | 50 | 57 | 22 | 13% | 51 |
| South Africa | 21% | 80 | 50 | 64 | 0 | 13% | 54 |
| Panama | 22% | 80 | 25 | 43 | 56 | 12% | 55 |
| New Zealand | 41% | 60 | 25 | 79 | 44 | 7% | 64 |
| Sweden | 33% | 20 | 75 | 100 | 22 | 10% | 72 |
From the above table, Bosnia and Herzegovina stands out as the country where AI adoption outpaces cybersecurity measures the most, with 1 in 5 organizations using artificial intelligence in public, business and technological sectors. The country ranks low for digital policies and crisis management, scoring 0 for all security measures that protect from cyber threats. Around 14% of the country’s infrastructure is vulnerable to hacking, and Botnet attacks are the most common.
In second place is Kuwait, with the largest exposure to cyber threats in the top 10. Almost 20% of the country’s digital frameworks are susceptible to cyber attacks, while Kuwait is broadening the AI use to 1 in 5 of business and tech companies. Kuwait updated its digital policies sooner than Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it doesn’t have proper cybersecurity for its critical information infrastructure or cyber crisis management.
Qatar integrates AI in its tech and business sectors more than any other country in the top 5. Around 38% of the organizations use it in their work, while the country doesn’t have records of cybersecurity measures for critical infrastructure. Around 6% of Qatar’s infrastructure is open to cyber threats, and ransomware is used the most to attack the country’s residents.
Jamaica also implements AI technologies fast, while not preparing sufficient cyber defences. Around 22% of the tech and business sectors already adopted AI, but the country hasn’t passed matching regulatory policies, scoring only 40/100. Jamaica also shows low cyber incident response (57/100), while 15% of all digital infrastructure in the country is at risk of hackers.
Costa Rica rounds up the top 5, with over a quarter (27%) of tech, business and private organizations using AI for their tasks. The country is not as exposed to cyber threats right now as other countries on the list, with only 6% of digital systems being vulnerable. The fast pace of AI integration makes Costa Rica a desirable target for hackers in the near future, as it shows almost no cybersecurity measures prepared for critical infrastructure.
A pattern from the above analysis is where AI is now both a gateway for a cyberattack and a tool. Botnets were dangerous before, and AI has made them fully autonomous. AI agents handle reconnaissance, launch infections, and adapt to defences, compressing multi-day operations into minutes.