At the dawn of 2026, technology is reshaping not just the way we drive, but the very wheels beneath us—and the way we shop, too. Michelin’s announcement of its new AI-powered tire technology and a concurrent surge in cyberattacks targeting tech-savvy consumers and businesses have put privacy and security squarely in the spotlight. As innovations roll out at breakneck speed, the risks and rewards of our increasingly connected world are more tightly intertwined than ever.
On December 26, 2025, Michelin revealed a groundbreaking advance: smart tires embedded with artificial intelligence chips, designed to monitor their own condition and provide real-time feedback to drivers. According to Dân trí, this innovation is set to debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, where a retrofitted 1970 Ford Bronco will showcase the technology in action. The new system—dubbed SmartLoad and SmartWear—doesn’t just replace traditional tire pressure monitoring systems; it fundamentally transforms how tires interact with the vehicles and drivers they serve.
Developed in partnership with technology firm Sonatus, Michelin’s smart tires go far beyond measuring air pressure. The embedded AI chips analyze a host of vehicle signals, including braking intensity, vehicle load, cornering forces, and other dynamic conditions. This allows the tires to deliver precise, real-time insights about their wear and overall health. Drivers can access this data via Michelin’s MyTires app, providing a window into tire performance that’s never been available before.
But there’s more than just convenience at play. Michelin estimates that the adoption of SmartWear and SmartLoad could save up to $1.68 billion globally by 2030, thanks to improved tire longevity, enhanced safety, and reduced maintenance costs. The system operates on the Sonatus Collector AI platform and, crucially, stores all tire data locally within the vehicle itself. This means sensitive information never leaves the car—a move Michelin believes will appeal to both automakers and privacy-conscious consumers.
“These solutions help automakers and fleet operators extend tire life, improve safety, reduce costs, and support sustainable mobility,” said Ali Rezgui, Vice President of Michelin Tire Digital Twin, as reported by Dân trí. “Michelin SmartWear and SmartLoad are the first products in a full portfolio that will enable original equipment manufacturers to integrate a tire digital twin into their vehicles.”
Michelin’s approach stands in stark contrast to some competitors. Pirelli, for instance, introduced its own Cyber Tire platform in 2021, which collects even more driving data than traditional tire pressure monitoring systems. Cyber Tire can even detect road conditions, such as heavy rain. However, Pirelli’s technology has drawn scrutiny in the United States due to national security concerns: Chinese state-owned company Sinochem owns a 37% stake in Pirelli, prompting federal regulators to keep a close watch as the U.S. seeks to limit Chinese involvement in connected vehicle systems.
New federal regulations set to take effect in 2027 will ban certain software components from vehicles, with hardware restrictions following in 2030. Unless Pirelli receives an exemption, this could severely restrict the company’s ability to sell Cyber Tire-equipped vehicles in the U.S. market. The evolving regulatory landscape underscores the growing tension between technological innovation and national security, especially as cars become more connected and data-driven.
Yet, it’s not just the automotive sector grappling with these challenges. A recent report highlighted a staggering 152% increase in ransomware attacks on retail businesses compared to 2023, according to PLO. The surge in cybercrime is being fueled by malware like Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Dcryptor, which disguises itself as a legitimate program and uses the DiskCryptor tool to lock down victims’ hard drives. Retailers aren’t the only ones at risk: 14.41% of users in the sector have faced web-based threats, and phishing attacks remain a persistent menace.
In 2025 alone, Kaspersky recorded 6.7 million phishing attempts targeting online shoppers, delivery services, and payment systems. More than half of these attacks focused directly on online storefronts, especially during major sales events—prime time for cybercriminals to exploit distracted consumers with spam messages and fraudulent schemes. The scale and sophistication of these attacks are sobering, and they reveal just how vulnerable even the most tech-savvy users can be.
Adding another layer of complexity is the rise of AI-powered chatbots and virtual shopping assistants. While these tools promise to streamline the online shopping experience, they also raise serious privacy and security concerns. Unlike traditional keyword searches, conversational AI interfaces encourage users to share information in natural language, inadvertently revealing personal preferences and contextual details. This data, when aggregated, becomes a high-value target for cybercriminals—on par with financial information.
AI shopping assistants integrated into web browsers often require continuous access to browsing history and location data, enabling them to build detailed behavioral profiles that may be beyond the control of both consumers and retailers. The growing trend of image-based search adds yet another risk: photos uploaded to find products can unintentionally include sensitive information, such as faces, living spaces, or private details on packaging and labels.
Anna Larkina, a web data and privacy analyst at Kaspersky, emphasized the stakes: “Careful data management will become the key factor for businesses to maintain lasting customer trust,” she told PLO. The message is clear—privacy isn’t just a regulatory box to check, but a foundational element of customer relationships in the digital age.
In the face of these mounting threats, both individuals and organizations are being urged to take proactive steps. Users are advised to limit the amount of personal information they share with AI chatbots and always verify website addresses before making transactions. For businesses, deploying robust security solutions and incident management protocols is now essential to fend off the rising tide of ransomware and phishing attacks.
Meanwhile, as Michelin prepares to showcase its smart tire technology at CES 2026, the company is betting that its privacy-first approach will set a new standard in automotive innovation. By keeping data local and giving drivers direct control over their information, Michelin hopes to win the trust of both automakers and end-users—an increasingly valuable commodity in an era marked by relentless digital threats.
As technology continues to blur the lines between convenience and vulnerability, the coming year will test just how well companies—and consumers—can balance innovation with the imperative to protect privacy and security. The road ahead is paved with promise, but it’s more important than ever to keep an eye on the risks lurking just beneath the surface.
