Spread of AI agents sparks fears of a cybersecurity crisis

A recent report highlights a growing trust gap between businesses deploying agentic AI for customer interactions and consumers concerned about sharing personal data due to security risks. The study, conducted by Censuswide for Salt Security, emphasizes that without effective API discovery, governance, and security, the very AI technologies designed to enhance customer engagement could expose organizations to cybersecurity threats such as attacks and data leaks. Key findings from the report include:

• Over 53% of organizations are deploying or planning to deploy agentic AI for customer-facing roles.
• 48% of organizations use between six and 20 types of AI agents, with 19% deploying between 21 and 50.
• 37% of organizations report having 1 to 100 AI agents active, and nearly 18% host between 501 and 1000 agents.
Despite the widespread use of AI agents, only 32% of organizations conduct daily API risk assessments, and just 37% have dedicated API security solutions. Similarly, only 37% have a dedicated data privacy team overseeing AI initiatives. From the consumer perspective:
• 64% have interacted more frequently with AI chatbots in the past year.
• Of those who interacted with AI chatbots, 80% shared personal information.
• 44% felt pressured to share data to complete tasks.
• Only 22% feel comfortable sharing data with AI agents, compared to 37% who trust phone interactions and 54% who trust in-person conversations.
Michael Callahan, CMO at Salt Security, stated, “Agentic AI is changing how businesses operate, but consumers clearly lack confidence. The safety and success of AI depend on APIs that power it, which must be effectively discovered, governed, and secured. Otherwise, the trust gap will widen, and risks will escalate.” The full report, including recommended security actions, is available on the Salt Security website.

---

Image Credit: Twoapril Studio/Dreamstime.com

---

Source: Originally published at BetaNews on August 12, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is agentic AI? Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can operate autonomously to achieve specific goals. In customer interactions, these are AI agents that can handle tasks and make decisions without constant human oversight. Q2: What are the main concerns consumers have about AI agents in customer interactions? Consumers are primarily concerned about the security risks associated with sharing personal data with AI agents. They also expressed a lack of confidence in these systems, with a significant percentage feeling pressured to share information. Q3: How widespread is the deployment of agentic AI in customer-facing roles? A substantial portion of organizations, over 53%, are already deploying or planning to deploy agentic AI for customer-facing roles. Many are using a significant number of AI agents, with some deploying dozens or even hundreds. Q4: What are the key security weaknesses highlighted in the report regarding AI deployments? The report emphasizes that without effective API discovery, governance, and security, AI technologies can expose organizations to cybersecurity threats like attacks and data leaks. This indicates that the APIs powering these AI agents are critical vulnerabilities if not properly managed. Q5: What percentage of organizations are actively managing their API security? The report indicates a gap in proactive security measures, with only 32% of organizations conducting daily API risk assessments and 37% having dedicated API security solutions.

Crypto Market AI's Take

The growing deployment of agentic AI in customer interactions presents both immense opportunities for efficiency and significant risks if not managed with robust security. This trend aligns with our broader understanding of how AI is reshaping industries, including finance. At Crypto Market AI, we leverage AI and machine learning to provide advanced market analysis and automated trading strategies through our AI Crypto Market Platform. Our focus on secure and efficient solutions is paramount, recognizing that the underlying infrastructure, much like the APIs mentioned in the report, needs to be robust. We also offer insights into AI agents and their potential applications, highlighting the importance of secure and reliable AI integration across various sectors.

More to Read:

• AI Agents are Broken: Can GPT-5 Fix Them?
• AI Disruption Accelerates Market Shifts: NVIDIA Challenges Creative Sectors
• The Spread of AI Agents Sparks Fears of a Cybersecurity Crisis

Source: Originally published at BetaNews on August 12, 2025.