'AI may have been used in S. Korean banking hacks'

Artificial intelligence (AI) may have played a role in recent cyberattacks targeting South Korea's financial sector, President Lee Jae-myung announced as police launched an investigation. Over seven major banks and financial institutions have reported customer data breaches in the past week. AI's ability to uncover previously unknown software vulnerabilities and hack institutions has drawn global attention due to the release of increasingly advanced models.

President Lee expressed concern over the ease with which AI can now facilitate hacking, even for those without specialized skills. Over 68,000 people have been affected by the attacks, according to the Financial Services Commission.

Lee emphasized that as AI technology advances, hacking methods have become more sophisticated, leading to widespread damage that is unprecedented in recent history. The government, companies, and society must recognize the severity of the situation and remain vigilant. Police, acting on the president's directive, have initiated an investigation.

A government official stated that it is highly likely that Artex AI, an open-source security testing tool believed to be a Chinese AI system, was utilized in the attacks. However, officials clarified that the attackers' nationality cannot be determined based solely on IP addresses, as they can be located in various global locations.