A US startup used AI models to identify a potentially devastating bug in Chinese super-app WeChat, in the latest sign of the cyber capabilities — and risks — of advanced AI tech.
The attack tool, known as a worm, could allow someone to hijack WeChat accounts and spread automatically through victims’ contacts. Calif, the security company that found the vulnerability, alerted Chinese tech giant and WeChat owner Tencent, which fixed the issue, The New York Times reported.
The episode underscores the high stakes and global conversations around AI and cybersecurity, following a spate of high-profile AI-powered hacks. Experts said concerns about safety could offer a good starting point for US-China talks on AI reportedly planned for later this month.