South Korean officials believe AI agents were used to hack several banks

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea says officials there are probing a series of recent bank hacks that authorities believe were likely caused by artificial intelligence agents.

The personal data of at least 68,000 people was reportedly exposed in breaches of at least seven financial institutions, with officials saying they believe the Chinese cybersecurity tool Artex AI was used to hack the banks’ systems.

Financial authorities said they have so far found 33 IP addresses used in the hacks, according to local news reports. The incidents, which first came to light on September 30, are the first known example of AI agents hacking the financial sector.

The impacted financial companies include Hana Bank, KB Kookmin Bank and Shinhan Bank, the latter of which has reportedly said personal data belonging to roughly 25,000 customers was exposed.

The breached data included details about individual customers’ borrowing history, incomes, phone numbers and names, the Korea Herald reported.

“Signs have emerged” suggesting AI agents were deployed in at least some of the attacks, Lee said Tuesday.

“It’s now become possible to use AI to hack with ease even without specialized skills,”  Lee reportedly added.