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Thu, 27 Aug 2026

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 Time is running out for cyber security, warn top tech firms

The letter warns cyber-attacks which use AI will become more sophisticated in a matter of months.
A coalition of 100 major companies, including Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, has issued an urgent warning that global cyber defenses are inadequately prepared to face the growing threat of AI-powered attacks. The open letter, signed by firms such as Capital One, MasterCard, Visa, Adobe, Oracle, IBM, and Hugging Face, calls on governments and organizations worldwide to strengthen their cybersecurity measures before AI surpasses human capabilities. The signatories warn that external cyber-attacks using AI will become more widespread and sophisticated in the coming months due to rapid advancements in technology. They criticize the "historic under-resourcing" of security around critical infrastructure and argue that current measures are insufficient. The letter urges governments to provide "capable, defensive AI" and testing for hospitals and water utilities, while also calling on tech companies to support these efforts. It emphasizes that collective action is necessary to address this growing threat. Recent high-profile breaches, including a string of hacking incidents involving US government agencies and private companies, have highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to AI-powered attacks. The signatories propose the development and deployment of more advanced AI tools to enhance cybersecurity measures, but acknowledge that such technologies are not always readily available. They also call for responsible access to these tools and significant funding for defensive efforts. Experts warn that society may be "in real trouble" if AI surpasses human capabilities, with one Nobel laureate describing the potential consequences as a "bleak future."