AI models that can take down governments and business months away, rare Five Eyes statement warns | AI (artificial intelligence)
In a rare joint statement, the Five Eyes’ cyber intelligence agencies warned that powerful AI models that could topple governments and businesses are just months away and called on leaders to “act now.”
Surprising public intervention by signaling agencies in Australia, the US, the UK, New Zealand and Canada followed. Trump administration decided to block “foreign nationals” earlier this month from using a much-hyped artificial intelligence model called Fable by tech company Anthropic.
The statement, released late Monday night Sydney time, said artificial intelligence “will help us improve cyber defenses over time, as well as accelerate the speed, scale and sophistication of cyber threats.”
“Frontier AI models are expected to fundamentally transform both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities, exceeding current industry expectations. The timeline is months, not years,” Five Eyes’ agencies said in the warning.
“In this environment, cyber resilience is integral to enhancing business continuity, market confidence and long-term value.”
Cybersecurity agencies said leaps in artificial intelligence models show the technology will lower barriers to bad actors and increase the speed and sophistication of attacks.
The statement continued: “The whole organization and the whole community response is required.”
“Cyber risk can no longer be treated as a purely technical issue. It is a fundamental business risk and leadership responsibility.”
Although no artificial intelligence model or company is mentioned by name in the statement, many people around the world have turned their eyes to Anthropic’s advanced tools.
One of the big tech company’s latest innovations is Fable 5, a supposedly more community-friendly version of Mythos; A powerful artificial intelligence model launched earlier this year that can detect vulnerabilities in cyber systems and is only available to vetted organizations and companies due to concerns that it could be used maliciously.
Both models from Anthropic suspended for use by “foreign nationals” by the U.S. government in June based on recommendations from national security authorities.
Olivia Shen, a national security and artificial intelligence expert at the United States Research Center at the University of Sydney, said much of the world is focused on what Anthropic will do next, but much more powerful AI models may be on the horizon.
“I think we need to anticipate that the next Mythos or the next Fable is just around the corner,” Shen said.
“We can only see those being launched, but other equally advanced models may be being developed, such as by China or other states and other actors and companies.”
In March, the Albanian government signed Anthropic as the first company to join the national AI plan.
The non-binding memorandum of understanding means the companies agreed to share details of their AI progress with the government and “promote security.”
The government’s national plan encourages a light-hearted approach to regulating the sector to achieve economic and productivity benefits from the technology.
