Proofpoint: generative AI erases behavioral tells in phishing emails

Proofpoint said at its Protect 2026 conference that generative AI now produces fluent, personalized emails unique to each recipient, weakening the behavioral signals email filters have relied on for years. The company shared several examples of the shift.

• Generative AI removes clumsy wording and reused templates from emails
• Each message is now tailored and unique to the recipient
• Behavioral signals that email filters relied on are fading