ZDNET’s key takeaways

Impressive AI applications can harbor inherent security risks.

AI companies worldwide are failing to reach basic security standards.

Supply chain monitoring is paramount when adopting new AI tech.

Artificial intelligence companies worldwide are bringing a new wave of vulnerabilities and security issues to the digital supply chain, researchers warn.

The AI supply chain and security problems

AI and smart solutions don’t automatically equate with safe solutions. In a study titled “ 2026 AI Supply Chain Report : The Risks Behind Your AI Relationships,” Black Kite says that many AI suppliers — the companies that develop and deploy AI services to today’s businesses — are struggling with “basic security practices.”

Also: Rogue AI incidents hit ‘tens of thousands’: Can businesses trust these tools?

According to the research, after examining the companies themselves, along with their software, integrations, and components, researchers found failures to patch critical vulnerabilities,…