TOKYO — The head of Japan’s leading banking industry group is warning that financial institutions across the country could be forced to take drastic steps — including shutting down ATMs and suspending online banking — if powerful artificial intelligence systems begin posing a serious threat to the banking sector.
Advanced AI systems, like Anthropic’s Mythos, have the ability to rapidly detect weaknesses within software platforms, raising widespread alarm about the possibility of a wave of highly sophisticated cyberattacks.
“There are concerns about an increase in sophisticated cyberattacks that go beyond what has been anticipated,” said Masahiko Kato, chair of the Japan Bankers Association and president of Mizuho Bank, speaking at a press briefing.
Kato added that banks may have to act decisively to shield customers from harm. “Certain services such as ATMs could be proactively suspended in order to protect customers’ assets,” he said.
When Anthropic introduced Mythos back in April, the company itself cautioned that the AI had already identified thousands of software vulnerabilities — including flaws found in every major operating system and web browser — and warned that the consequences of its widespread use could be significant.
In response to growing concerns, banks have been stepping up their scrutiny of such AI tools. Additionally, the U.S. government recently directed Anthropic to cut off access to its advanced AI models for foreign nationals, citing national security concerns.
Despite the alarm, not everyone in the cybersecurity field is convinced the threat is as dire as portrayed. Some experts argue that the reaction has been overblown, suggesting that access to a model like Mythos would not instantly give cybercriminals the ability to carry out attacks that were previously beyond their capabilities.
