Australia warns of ‘unprecedented’ AI-powered cyberattacks. Here’s what’s driving them

Australia's cyber security agency has warned that artificial intelligence poses an unprecedented threat as foreign governments increasingly use AI to hack computer networks and critical infrastructure. The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), which employs AI in its Annual Cyber Threat Report, noted that advanced AI models could benefit humanity when used responsibly.

However, the agency emphasized that AI is now being exploited by criminals and state-sponsored hackers to launch attacks on an unprecedented scale. The report highlighted that AI has accelerated the discovery of vulnerabilities and enabled rapid exploitation at an unprecedented level. In recent weeks, new threats have emerged from unintended actions of AI agents and model testing.

The ASD issued over 4,400 warnings about potentially malicious activity over the past year, an 80 percent increase compared to the previous 12-month period. State-sponsored hackers, primarily from China, Russia, and North Korea, have targeted Australian organizations to gain access to sensitive information, including critical infrastructure entities, private businesses, and individuals.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described a breach by an OpenAI model in June as "obviously unacceptable." The ASD urged Australians to update their computers and harden their systems against malicious actors leveraging AI.