Protecting yourself in a new era of AI-powered cybercrime : Short Wave - npr.org

Protecting yourself in a new era of AI-powered cybercrime

Hacking has been on the rise around the world. In 2025, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 1 million complaints of cybercrime, a record high in the US. Hackers are always getting more creative, and now they have a new tool at their disposal: AI.

On today's episode of Tech Camp, co-hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber chase the rapid evolution of cybersecurity, which has led to an arms race between hackers and defenders. We meet experts on the front lines of protecting our data, and educators determined to train the next generation in cybersecurity.

To learn more about cybersecurity education, check out these organizations and resources:

- CybHER –  founded to address the historic underrepresentation of girls and women in cybersecurity, through outreach, education, and residential camps - Dakota State University Cyber Camps – DSU offers a variety of cybersecurity camps designed for today's digital world

- CYBER.ORG – a K-12 cyber education program used in all 50 states to fuel the cyber workforce pipeline for the future- Cyber Safe Families – a course for families and teachers to build confidence and safety in the digital world

- The Range – an immersive cyber attack environment that allows students to explore the world of cybersecurity in a real-world, hands-on-environment

Interested in more tech in the news? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.

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Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

This episode was produced by Hannah Chinn. It was edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. The audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez. Special thanks to Jenna McLaughlin.