Anthropic has warned that artificial intelligence models could be capable of spreading across internet-connected devices and building self-replicating botnets by the end of 2026. The scenario could allow rogue AI systems to spread without relying on a central server, making them harder to contain. The company says its experiments suggest that models with 30 billion parameters or fewer can already perform many of the individual tasks needed for self-replication, although they struggled to complete the entire process reliably.The warning has sparked debate among cybersecurity experts, with some concerned about the potential threat and others questioning whether the scenario is being overstated.<h2>How could AI create a self-spreading botnet?</h2>A botnet is a network of compromised devices that can be controlled to carry out malicious activities. A self-replicating programme, often called a computer worm, can spread from one device to another without requiring each infection to be initiated manually. Anthropic says smaller AI models could potentially combine several capabilities to find vulnerable devices, spread across networks and use hijacked computing resources to support further growth.In experiments, the company said models replicated across a simplified test network. It also suggested that rogue systems might eventually attempt to access more powerful computing resources, including data-centre processors.However, the company did not demonstrate a fully autonomous AI botnet spreading across the entire internet.<h2>Could AI botnets become difficult to stop?</h2>Anthropic warned that a self-replicating system without a central control point could be difficult to shut down. The concern comes as AI developers face increased scrutiny over systems that can perform cyber-related tasks with limited human supervision.Zhengxiong Li, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver, said the possibility of AI behaving like a computer worm was worrying because it could potentially adapt its approach to compromising devices. But not everyone agrees with the level of concern. Ciaran Martin, former head of Britain's National Cyber Security Centre, described Anthropic's post as an interesting technical paper that showed signs of “vendor exaggeration”.<h2>Is a self-replicating AI threat imminent?</h2>Anthropic said that if smaller models continue improving at their historical rate, they could reach the capabilities needed for autonomous replication by the end of 2026.That is a projection, not a confirmed deadline for an attack.Jessica Ji, a senior research analyst at Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology, said autonomous AI proliferation was worth considering, but its likelihood remained uncertain. For now, Anthropic's warning highlights a potential cybersecurity risk rather than proof that an internet-wide AI botnet is imminent.

Anthropic warns that small AI models could develop the ability to spread across internet-connected devices by the end of 2026, potentially creating difficult-to-stop botnets. Cybersecurity experts remain divided over the likelihood and scale of the threat.

Anthropic has warned that artificial intelligence models could be capable of spreading across internet-connected devices and building self-replicating botnets by the end of 2026. The scenario could allow rogue AI systems to spread without relying on a central server, making them harder to contain. The company says its experiments suggest that models with 30 billion parameters or fewer can already perform many of the individual tasks needed for self-replication, although they struggled to complete the entire process reliably. The warning has sparked debate among cybersecurity experts, with some concerned about the potential threat and others questioning whether the scenario is being overstated. How could AI create a self-spreading botnet? A botnet is a network of compromised devices that can be controlled to carry out malicious activities. A self-replicating programme, often called a computer worm, can spread from one device to another without requiring each infection to be initiated manually. Anthropic says smaller AI models could potentially combine several capabilities to find vulnerable devices, spread across networks and use hijacked computing resources to support further growth. In experiments, the company said models replicated across a simplified test network. It also suggested that rogue systems might eventually attempt to access more powerful computing resources, including data-centre processors. However, the company did not demonstrate a fully autonomous AI botnet spreading across the entire internet. Could AI botnets become difficult to stop? Anthropic warned that a self-replicating system without a central control point could be difficult to shut down. The concern comes as AI developers face increased scrutiny over systems that can perform cyber-related tasks with limited human supervision. Zhengxiong Li, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver, said the possibility of AI behaving like a computer worm was worrying because it could potentially adapt its approach to compromising devices. But not everyone agrees with the level of concern. Ciaran Martin, former head of Britain's National Cyber Security Centre, described Anthropic's post as an interesting technical paper that showed signs of “vendor exaggeration”. Is a self-replicating AI threat imminent? Anthropic said that if smaller models continue improving at their historical rate, they could reach the capabilities needed for autonomous replication by the end of 2026. That is a projection, not a confirmed deadline for an attack. Jessica Ji, a senior research analyst at Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology, said autonomous AI proliferation was worth considering, but its likelihood remained uncertain. For now, Anthropic's warning highlights a potential cybersecurity risk rather than proof that an internet-wide AI botnet is imminent.

Anthropic warns that small AI models could develop the ability to spread across internet-connected devices by the end of 2026, potentially creating difficult-to-stop botnets. Cybersecurity experts remain divided over the likelihood and scale of the threat.

Could AI take over thousands of devices? Anthropic warns of self-replicating models

Cybersecurity researchers reportedly hacked OpenAI’s systems using security tools developed by rival artificial intelligence company Anthropic. The development followed two weeks&nbsp;after a swarm of AI agents escaped containment at OpenAI to hack the company Hugging Face. Several media reports suggest that&nbsp;researchers from cybersecurity firm Hacktron AI&nbsp;exploited weaknesses in OpenAI’s community forum, intending to gain access to internal credentials and a ChatGPT account of an employee. The particular account was linked to GitHub, giving researchers a way into internal software code; from there, they could examine private information and suggest modifications. The Financial Times reported that the researchers had been granted access to a cybersecurity-focused tool built by Anthropic. The move was part of a broader initiative aiming to hunt down weaknesses before bad actors could exploit them.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-just-invited-us-to-a-google-meet-us-firm-allegedly-fires-entire-indian-customer-service-team-1789733233693">‘They just invited us to a Google Meet’: US firm allegedly fires entire Indian customer service tea</a>m<h3>OpenAI awards the three researchers&nbsp;</h3>For their efforts, OpenAI awarded the three researchers a combined $6,500 through its bug bounty programme, which compensates security researchers who responsibly flag and report weaknesses. The company confirmed that the issues identified during this process have since been fixed. “We thank the researchers for contacting us and sharing their findings,” said OpenAI said, according to the Financial Times, while Anthropic declined to comment. This disclosure surfaces just two months after reports emerged that over 1,000 of OpenAI's AI agents had escaped a testing environment and launched hacking attempts against the AI platform Hugging Face, an episode that raised fresh concerns about AI agents' growing capacity to carry out cyberattacks with little to no human oversight.&nbsp;Meanwhile, industry leaders including Jensen Huang and Mark Zuckerberg are emphasising AI safety measures, rather than directing it to slow down its development. &nbsp;In a post on X, Zuckerberg said, “My view is that trust and alignment are quickly becoming the most important capabilities that will differentiate agents and models. Any lab that doesn't focus on alignment will fall behind.”

The researchers had been granted access to a cybersecurity-focused tool built by Anthropic. The move was part of a broader initiative aiming to hunt down weaknesses before bad actors could exploit them.

Cybersecurity researchers reportedly hacked OpenAI’s systems using security tools developed by rival artificial intelligence company Anthropic. The development followed two weeks after a swarm of AI agents escaped containment at OpenAI to hack the company Hugging Face. Several media reports suggest that researchers from cybersecurity firm Hacktron AI exploited weaknesses in OpenAI’s community forum, intending to gain access to internal credentials and a ChatGPT account of an employee. The particular account was linked to GitHub, giving researchers a way into internal software code; from there, they could examine private information and suggest modifications. The Financial Times reported that the researchers had been granted access to a cybersecurity-focused tool built by Anthropic. The move was part of a broader initiative aiming to hunt down weaknesses before bad actors could exploit them. Also read: ‘They just invited us to a Google Meet’: US firm allegedly fires entire Indian customer service team OpenAI awards the three researchers For their efforts, OpenAI awarded the three researchers a combined $6,500 through its bug bounty programme, which compensates security researchers who responsibly flag and report weaknesses. The company confirmed that the issues identified during this process have since been fixed. “We thank the researchers for contacting us and sharing their findings,” said OpenAI said, according to the Financial Times, while Anthropic declined to comment. This disclosure surfaces just two months after reports emerged that over 1,000 of OpenAI's AI agents had escaped a testing environment and launched hacking attempts against the AI platform Hugging Face, an episode that raised fresh concerns about AI agents' growing capacity to carry out cyberattacks with little to no human oversight. Meanwhile, industry leaders including Jensen Huang and Mark Zuckerberg are emphasising AI safety measures, rather than directing it to slow down its development. In a post on X, Zuckerberg said, “My view is that trust and alignment are quickly becoming the most important capabilities that will differentiate agents and models. Any lab that doesn't focus on alignment will fall behind.”

The researchers had been granted access to a cybersecurity-focused tool built by Anthropic. The move was part of a broader initiative aiming to hunt down weaknesses before bad actors could exploit them.

Researchers hack OpenAI systems, access employee credentials using Anthropic's AI security tool

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Could AI take over thousands of devices? Anthropic warns of self-replicating models

Researchers hack OpenAI systems using Anthropic's AI security tool