IMF Warns AI-Driven Cyberattacks Could Pose Systemic Risk to Global Finance

(MENAFN) The International Monetary Fund has cautioned that artificial intelligence could significantly increase the scale and speed of cyberattacks, potentially turning them into a systemic threat to the global financial system, according to a recent analysis cited in reports.

In a blog post published on Thursday, the IMF said its findings indicate that severe cyber incidents could lead to major financial losses, trigger liquidity pressures, raise concerns over institutional solvency, and disrupt broader market stability.

The organization highlighted the growing dependence of modern finance on interconnected digital infrastructure, including cloud services, payment networks, and shared software systems. This interconnectedness, it warned, could make multiple institutions vulnerable to coordinated or simultaneous attacks.

According to the IMF, advanced AI systems may lower the barriers for attackers by making it faster and easier to detect and exploit weaknesses in widely used digital systems. This could increase the scale and speed of potential cyber intrusions affecting critical infrastructure.

The report referenced controlled testing of an advanced AI model with strong cybersecurity-related capabilities, suggesting that such systems could potentially identify vulnerabilities across major operating systems and web browsers, even when used by individuals without specialized technical expertise.

The IMF warned that financial systems could face broader instability if AI-assisted cyber threats are not properly managed. Because financial institutions are closely linked to sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and public services, disruptions could extend well beyond banking.

Officials emphasized that while defensive systems are expected to improve, breaches remain inevitable. As a result, the IMF called for stronger resilience measures, including stress testing for cyber scenarios, enhanced oversight at the institutional level, closer cooperation between the public and private sectors, and improved international coordination to address emerging risks.

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