Beijing spy agency warns AI hacking threatens national security

Beijing's spy agency has warned that advanced AI hacking capabilities pose a new threat to national security, shifting focus from deepfakes to cyber vulnerabilities. The warning follows demonstrations of AI-powered attacks targeting Chinese platforms. The Ministry of State Security chief highlighted last week that top AI models could jeopardize national security due to their alarming hacking abilities. This marks a departure from earlier Chinese policy concerns, which centered on immediate risks like deepfakes and child safety. Recent evidence includes a California team's AI-built cyberattack "worm" that could compromise millions of WeChat accounts, exposing vulnerabilities in China's mega-app. The development underscores growing global concerns over AI's dual-use nature in espionage and cyberwarfare.