AI Cyber Threat Expected in Months, Not Years, Warns Western Intelligence 0 15

According to a report from leading intelligence agencies, there are only a few months left before the emergence of powerful artificial intelligence models capable of overturning the global cybersecurity system and causing significant damage to government structures and businesses.

The Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Canada, warned that the emergence of fundamentally new complex AI models will facilitate cyberattacks by malicious actors.

The report was published after U.S. President Donald Trump banned foreign nationals from using the latest AI models from Anthropic — Fable 5 and Mythos 5 — in June. In response, the company completely disabled these models.

The Five Eyes statement notes that while AI "will help us strengthen cybersecurity over time, it simultaneously increases the speed, scale, and complexity of cyber threats."

"According to agency estimates, advanced AI models will surpass current industry expectations and radically change both offensive and defensive cyber capabilities. This is a matter of months, not years," the Five Eyes intelligence warning states.

The authors of the report called for immediate action and recommended that leaders recognize and assess risks, prioritize basic practices and controls in cybersecurity, empower cybersecurity leaders with real authority and resources, and remain engaged as threats and recommendations evolve.

"Success depends on how well basic processes are tuned, how quickly decisions are made, and how deeply cybersecurity is integrated into core business strategy," the authors add.

"Those who do not will find themselves in an increasingly disadvantaged position both operationally and strategically."

Although the document does not mention specific companies or AI models, it states that generative systems are capable of identifying vulnerabilities in cybersecurity and exploiting them.

The report confirms what cybersecurity experts previously warned in comments to Euronews Next: many AI models available today can already exploit weaknesses in protection systems.

Intelligence agencies also pointed out that excessive internet connections, weak identity and access management systems, lack of proper planning by organizations, outdated IT solutions, and slow update cycles are the weak links that AI will exploit.

As the capabilities of AI models grow and they become publicly accessible through open-source platforms, the risk to cybersecurity also increases.

"The rapid pace of advanced AI development means that initial assessments of cyber risks become outdated in months, not years," the authors note.

"We need to act proactively and be ready to adapt and counter evolving threats."