{
  "id": 19406550,
  "title": "Prepare for the AI Apocalypse Like You’d Prepare for a Snowstorm",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/prepare-for-the-ai-apocalypse-like-youd-prepare-for-a-snowstorm",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-11-10T22:01:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Atlantic",
    "slug": "the-atlantic",
    "url": "https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/11/how-to-prepare-for-the-ai-apocalypse/689367/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In recent months, cybersecurity experts have been sounding the alarm about the potential for AI models to bring the internet to a catastrophic state. Hospitals, banks, utilities, and any entity connected to the web could be at risk of hacking. Over the past month, these concerns have materialized in alarming ways: AI was used to discover security flaws in software used by 70% of websites, prompting governments to take down their sites as a precaution. The world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, was targeted by attackers who hijacked internal AI tools, leading to the loss of billions of dollars. Over the past fall alone, AI has been employed to hack hundreds of financial institutions across Latin America, as well as data centers, banks, and government entities worldwide. Moreover, AI has altered the economics of hacking, making it possible for individuals and small organizations to target their own data cheaply and easily. The FBI has also issued a warning about hacks targeting industrial refrigeration systems following attacks on grocery stores in several countries.\n\nGovernments and tech companies are preparing for an extended period of heightened cybersecurity vulnerability, and they are urging everyone to do the same. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that every U.S. military base should remain operational even if a cyberattack disrupts the power grid. Japan has declared a state of emergency in cyberspace, and South Korea's National Intelligence Service has ordered thousands of organizations to conduct emergency cybersecurity audits. The United Kingdom is advising citizens to stockpile several days' worth of water and food in anticipation of various potential disasters, including cyberattacks.\n\nTo protect oneself in this new reality, several steps can be taken. The most crucial and straightforward action is to secure digital affairs. This involves using unique, long, and randomly generated passwords for all accounts, storing them in a password manager, and enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible. Additionally, regularly updating laptops, smartphones, internet routers, and applications is essential to patch any security flaws that could allow hackers to steal login information or bypass two-factor authentication.\n\nThese measures may seem time-consuming and bothersome, but they are far less annoying than dealing with the loss of personal finances and the posting of bitcoin advertisements from social media accounts. Furthermore, vigilance against social engineering is crucial. Phishing scams have become increasingly sophisticated, often appearing as legitimate customer-service websites or AI voice agents. Hovering over links in emails to view the full website address can help identify suspicious sites. If contacted by representatives of financial institutions, power companies, or other service providers, double-check their identity by calling them back on the official company number.\n\nAlthough some in Silicon Valley are taking extreme measures, such as building remote bunkers or stocking up on supplies, these are edge cases. However, practical steps can be taken to prepare for various scenarios. The executive director of the AI-safety group Palisade Research suggests having a hard drive or Blu-ray discs with important documents, as well as keeping a supply of food, clean water, flashlights, and cash. Edouard Harris, a CTO of an AI-safety company, recommends downloading parts of the internet that one cares about, which could include saving important articles or information.",
  "summary": "Water, batteries, and go bags",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}