DNI Clayton: AI espionage threat is a “reality” for both government agencies and private companies
Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned that both government and private sector entities must be wary of foreign espionage targeting artificial intelligence (AI) systems, describing it as an amplified risk to U.S. digital infrastructure.
The warning followed the first meeting of the White House’s new Super Intelligence Force (SIF), formed to coordinate responses to threats from adversaries including China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.
A federal case against an OpenAI employee, accused of hiding a recording device to steal confidential information including government engagements, highlighted vulnerabilities from trusted insiders with access to sensitive AI research.
Clayton emphasized that AI amplifies existing cybersecurity risks, with U.S. companies connected to essential services, national defense and global communications being the most likely targets.
Recent reports showed AI systems used by Iran to track U.S. Navy ships and by China-linked operatives to surveil and recruit Uyghur spies, illustrating a new scale of automated espionage.
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