The International Monetary Fund has issued a warning that rapidly advancing artificial intelligence technologies could pose growing dangers to the global financial system by making cyberattacks more effective, cheaper, and harder to stop. In a newly released report, the IMF said the increasing sophistication of AI tools could allow hackers to identify and exploit weaknesses in financial infrastructure on an unprecedented scale.
According to the report, severe cyber incidents linked to AI-assisted attacks could create serious disruptions across international markets. The IMF cautioned that such attacks may lead to financing difficulties, trigger concerns over the solvency of institutions, and spread instability through highly interconnected financial networks. The organization emphasized that the structure of the modern financial system itself increases the danger of contagion once vulnerabilities are exploited.
The report noted that advanced AI systems are capable of dramatically accelerating the discovery of security flaws. Researchers pointed in particular to so-called ?zero-day? vulnerabilities, previously unknown weaknesses that can be exploited before developers or institutions are able to patch them. These vulnerabilities are considered especially dangerous because they often remain undetected until after an attack has already occurred.
The warning follows recent revelations by artificial intelligence company Anthropic regarding its unreleased AI model known as Mythos. The company reportedly found the model highly effective at locating and exploiting cybersecurity weaknesses, including flaws previously unknown to developers and users. Concerns over the technology prompted discussions inside the US government about safeguards and oversight before such systems are publicly deployed.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said earlier this week that federal agencies and private companies are actively testing advanced AI models to ensure they do not become a threat to government institutions or American businesses. Shortly before that, Washington announced a policy shift allowing the US government to gain early access to new AI systems developed by major technology firms so they can be evaluated prior to public release.
The IMF warned that developing and emerging economies may face the greatest risks because they often lack the financial and technical resources needed to defend against increasingly sophisticated attacks. The report said weaker cybersecurity protections in some regions could make them particularly attractive targets for hackers using advanced AI-powered tools.
The institution also highlighted concerns surrounding the heavy dependence of global finance on a limited number of digital platforms and cloud service providers. According to the authors, concentration around a small group of providers could magnify the consequences of a single successful cyberattack and increase the risk of disruptions spreading across sectors and borders.
The IMF stressed that cyber defenses alone will not be enough. ?Security systems will inevitably be breached,? the report stated, adding that resilience and rapid recovery mechanisms must become central priorities for governments and financial institutions alike. Limiting the spread of attacks and restoring operations quickly were described as essential components of future financial stability planning.
Last month, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva also warned that the global financial system remains insufficiently prepared for AI-related cyber threats. Speaking to CBS News, she called for stronger international coordination and greater attention to safeguards designed to protect financial stability in the age of artificial intelligence. ?We are very keen to see more attention paid to the safeguards needed to protect financial stability in the world of artificial intelligence,? Georgieva said.
