Hackers have exploited a Chinese artificial intelligence tool to breach South Korea’s largest banks, compromising the personal information of approximately 68,000 individuals, according to officials. This incident marks one of the first documented instances of AI-assisted intrusions targeting the global financial sector.
Authorities in Seoul reported that the attacks, which were detected late last week, impacted at least seven financial institutions. The National Police Agency’s cyber terror unit has since initiated an investigation into the breach, which involved a cybersecurity tool identified as Artex AI, developed in China.
This wave of cyberattacks underscores the increasing vulnerability of financial institutions, which are often considered secure targets. While previous hacking incidents have primarily affected governments and private corporations, the involvement of AI tools in breaches of this nature is relatively novel for the banking sector.
In a related context, Anthropic has previously claimed that state-sponsored hackers from China utilized its AI technology last year to automate attacks on approximately 30 different global entities, including corporations and foreign governments. In response to those allegations, China accused the U.S. of using these cybersecurity claims as a means to disparage its image.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on understanding the full scope of this breach and the potential implications for the security of financial systems worldwide.
