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Understanding AI Harm: The New Taxonomy by F-Secure

In the fast-evolving digital landscape, artificial intelligence (AI) has become integral to our daily lives, influencing how we communicate, search for information, and make decisions. While AI offers numerous benefits, it also poses significant risks to consumers, especially if mishandled. F-Secure, a leader in consumer cybersecurity, has developed an AI Harms Taxonomy to outline these potential harms and how they can be mitigated.

The AI Harms Taxonomy

On November 10, 2026, F-Secure published a groundbreaking report detailing 26 distinct ways that AI can harm consumers. This comprehensive taxonomy traces the progression of these harms, from misleading chatbot responses to compromised autonomous agents that can directly affect user safety.

The significance of this work lies not only in identifying potential threats but also in providing a clear framework for intervention. By understanding how AI can fail, stakeholders can develop more robust safeguards, ensuring consumer protection is prioritized.

Key Findings

Dr. Megan Squire, the Principal Threat Intelligence Researcher at F-Secure, emphasized that traditional frameworks often neglect the relationship between AI systems and the harms they cause. By mapping out the connection from AI-enabled threats to consumer impacts, the report clarifies where protections can be effective and identifies who is responsible for implementing them.

Among the 26 identified harms, many arise from how AI interprets instructions and the networks it interacts with. For instance, a chatbot might provide a false narrative with high confidence or an AI agent could make poor financial choices leading to severe consequences for individuals.

The Expanding Responsibility

A crucial aspect of this taxonomy is its acknowledgment of the shared responsibility in preventing AI-related harms. The responsibility is not solely on consumers to be vigilant against potential risks; it also falls on the companies developing the AI systems. This includes ensuring that AI technologies are designed with built-in safeguards against misuse or error.

F-Secure's research reveals that, while some risks can be managed by security software installed on personal devices, others necessitate intervention further up the developmental chain. This model elucidates the necessary roles in fortifying consumer safety in an AI-driven world.

Examples of AI Harms

The research categorizes these harms across five relationship dynamics and 19 intermediary levels, employing 24 defensive strategies aimed at addressing specific risks. Some notable issues highlighted include:

• - Voice and Video Impersonation: AI can mimic voice patterns or visual characteristics to deceive users.
• - Harmful Financial Decisions: Agents acting on behalf of users can unwittingly prompt detrimental financial actions due to outdated or misleading instructions.
• - Privacy Violations: AI systems can unintentionally expose sensitive personal information under the right circumstances.

Additionally, the taxonomy outlines scenarios where malicious instructions might be embedded within the content processed by AI, influencing outcomes in dangerous ways.

Building Trust in AI Interactions

F-Secure's commitment to fostering trust in AI usage is further enhanced through initiatives like F-Secure Trust, which aims to safeguard individuals navigating the digital world where AI plays an increasingly active role. The TrustGuard solution protects users during AI interactions, while TrustPath secures their digital journeys.

This strategic focus aims to empower consumers by giving them the tools and safeguards necessary to navigate the complexities of modern digital life, shifting the conversation about AI from one of mere functionality to one centered on trust and safety.

Conclusion

In a world where AI is increasingly omnipresent, understanding its potential harms is vital for stakeholders at all levels, from developers to end-users. F-Secure's AI Harms Taxonomy provides a necessary framework for examining risks and implementing meaningful protections against the evolving landscape of digital threats. As AI technology continues to progress, so must our approach to security and consumer safety.

For more information, the complete AI Harms Taxonomy is available on F-Secure's Illuminate Research Hub, offering deeper insights into the intersection of technology, trust, and personal safety in the AI era.