Ankara:Banks, communication networks, and other essential services could face devastating cyberattacks within months as artificial intelligence becomes more capable of finding and exploiting their weaknesses, the head of advocacy group PauseAI has warned.

According to Anadolu Agency, Maxime Fournes, a former machine learning engineer who now campaigns for an international pause in advanced AI development, highlighted the immediate danger posed by both people using AI technology to launch attacks and AI systems acting beyond their instructions. He expressed concern that cyberattacks could disrupt the systems on which entire societies depend, describing the threat as potentially catastrophic.

Fournes noted that recent incidents, such as the "Black October" cybersecurity breaches and attacks on cryptocurrency exchange Binance and video game publisher Capcom, illustrate the growing threat of AI-driven cyberattacks. While the role of AI in these incidents remains unconfirmed, Fournes emphasized the need for urgent intervention, estimating a 50% chance of a major AI-related cybersecurity catastrophe within the next year without action.

Beyond cybersecurity, Fournes warned of the increasing integration of AI into military operations, which could create a cycle of dependency on autonomous systems. He also highlighted potential economic disruptions, predicting that advanced AI systems could eventually replace a significant portion of white-collar jobs. Fournes called for international agreements to restrict advanced AI development and urged governments to prepare for severe economic consequences.