AI’s Dual Impact on Application Development

Artificial intelligence is accelerating software creation, enabling developers to automate repetitive tasks and increase productivity. Gartner predicts that the majority of enterprise engineers will rely on AI code assistants, delivering faster delivery of new features and applications. Mobile ecosystems illustrate this momentum, with nearly two million apps in the Apple Store and close to three million in Google Play, and consumers routinely interacting with dozens of apps each day.

Emerging Threats from Generative AI

While AI boosts development speed, it also lowers the barrier for malicious actors. Free, powerful AI models allow attackers to reverse‑5 engineer applications, craft polymorphic malware, and even jailbreak large language models to generate fully functional infostealer code. A documented case showed a researcher with no malware experience using an AI jailbreak technique to produce a password‑stealing tool targeting Google Chrome. This capability renders traditional signature‑based defenses increasingly ineffective.

Economic Consequences of the Evolving Threat Landscape

Cybercrime costs are soaring, with predictions that annual losses will reach trillions of dollars. The proliferation of AI‑enabled attacks contributes to this rise, as threat actors can produce a multitude of malware variants quickly and cheaply. The expanding attack surface includes mobile apps, which often operate outside corporate networks and are accessed by users who may be less vigilant.

Strategic Responses for Organizations

Security leaders are urged to embed protection early in the software development lifecycle. Approaches include integrating runtime application self‑protection (RASP), advanced white‑box cryptography, and granular threat intelligence directly into code. Continuous testing frameworks enable teams to validate protected applications without slowing release cycles, ensuring that security does not become a bottleneck. By monitoring applications in production and responding swiftly to threats, organizations can mitigate risk while maintaining development velocity.

Overall, AI’s influence on software engineering is a double‑edged sword: it fuels unprecedented innovation while simultaneously empowering adversaries. Balancing rapid development with robust, embedded security measures is essential for safeguarding the expanding ecosystem of applications.

Used: News Factory APP - news discovery and automation - ChatGPT for Business