SAN FRANCISCO — More than 100 major technology and financial companies are calling for a stronger national response to the emerging threat of artificial-intelligence-powered cyberattacks.
The warning comes as AI systems become increasingly capable of writing code, identifying vulnerabilities and automating digital attacks.
Hackers Get an AI Assistant
Traditional cyberattacks often require significant human expertise.
AI can potentially reduce that barrier.
Automated systems can search for vulnerabilities, generate malicious code and adapt attacks faster than a human team.
That has created concern among technology companies, banks and infrastructure operators.
A coalition of more than 100 businesses recently urged governments and private organizations to accelerate investment in cyber defense.
The companies argue that defensive systems must improve before AI-enabled attacks become widespread.
The challenge is particularly serious for financial institutions.
Banks and payment networks manage enormous amounts of sensitive information.
A successful automated attack could affect millions of customers simultaneously.
Businesses are therefore using AI defensively as well.
Security systems can analyze network activity, detect unusual behavior and prioritize potential threats.
The same technology that helps attackers can help defenders process huge quantities of security information.
The competition may eventually become a race between automated offensive and defensive systems.
Governments face another challenge.
Cybersecurity agencies need enough skilled personnel and computing resources to respond to attacks involving increasingly sophisticated AI.
Private companies also need clear rules for sharing information about attacks without exposing customers or proprietary technology.
The issue is no longer hypothetical.
AI-assisted hacking tools are already being tested and discussed by security researchers.
The question is how quickly they will become powerful enough to change the economics of cybercrime.
American companies are now preparing for that possibility.
