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Gartner flags AI-enabled cyber vulnerability discovery as top emerging risk
Gartner surveyed 316 senior executives and risk managers in April and May 2026, warning AI could shorten the time from vulnerability discovery to exploitation.
Gartner has identified AI-enabled discovery of cyber vulnerabilities as the leading emerging risk for organizations worldwide in the second quarter of 2026, according to its latest Quarterly Emerging Risk Report. The research reflects what Gartner describes as AI's ability to make vulnerability discovery faster and more scalable than traditional risk management approaches.
In the report, Gartner surveyed 316 senior executives and risk managers across multiple industries and regions during April and May 2026. Gartner said the pace of AI development could compress the window between a vulnerability being identified and it being exploited, which may raise pressure on security and risk teams.
Gartner recommended organizations reassess assumptions around cyber risk and review how cyber risks affect their risk appetite. It also called for strengthening controls over third-party suppliers and speeding up cyber response processes.
Beyond AI-assisted vulnerability discovery, Gartner highlighted concerns including the increased use of agentic AI, risks to information integrity from unreliable data and AI-generated material, and workforce readiness challenges related to AI skills and preparedness. Gartner also pointed to geopolitical shocks as a continuing risk to global energy supply chains and advised considering stronger AI governance arrangements.