How Attackers Are Using AI to Outpace Defenses

Jonathan DiVincenzo, co-founder and CEO of Impart Security, joins the show to unpack one of the fastest growing risks in tech today: how AI is reshaping the attack surface. From prompt injections to invisible character exploits hidden inside emojis, JD explains why security leaders can’t afford to treat AI as “just another tool.” If you’re an engineering or security leader navigating AI adoption, this conversation breaks down what’s hype, what’s real, and where the biggest blind spots lie. Key Takeaways • Attackers are now using LLMs to outpace traditional defenses, turning old threats like SQL injection into live problems again • The attack surface is “iterating,” with new vectors like emoji-based smuggling exposing unseen vulnerabilities • Frameworks have not caught up. While OWASP has listed LLM threats, practical solutions are still undefined • The biggest divide in AI coding is between senior engineers who can validate outputs and junior developers who may lack that context • Security tools must evolve quickly, but rollout cannot create performance hits or damage business systems Timestamped Highlights 01:44 Why runtime security has always mattered and why APIs were not enough 04:00 How attackers use LLMs to regenerate and adapt attacks in real time 06:59 Proof of concept vs. security and why both must be treated as first priorities 09:14 The rise of “emoji smuggling” and why hidden characters create a Trojan horse effect 13:24 Iterating attack surfaces and why patches are no longer enough in the AI era 20:29 Is AI really writing production code and what risks does that create A thought worth holding onto “AI is great, but the bad actors can use AI too, and they are.” Call to Action If this episode gave you new perspective on AI security, share it with a colleague who needs to hear it. Follow the show for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of tech.