Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are buzzwords in the cybersecurity industry as companies try to keep up with an expanding threat environment. That is reflected in a new study from Webroot, which found 73% of IT professionals across the US and Japan saying they plan to increase their use of AI and ML this year.

The report, "Knowledge Gaps: AI and Machine Learning in Cybersecurity," found uptake of the technologies to be increasing, even though 58% of survey respondents say they're not sure what it means when a tool claims to use AI or ML. The uncertainty seems OK, though, when 72% say that they don't really care whether their tools are intelligent, as long as they do the job.

Leveraging AI/ML in security seems a reasonable tactic since 84% say they believe criminals are already employing machine intelligence in their infrastructures.

The report also shows that companies are spending more on AI/ML than they did two years ago; 76% of respondents say the investment has made their companies safer.

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