Japanese arrested for creating computer malware using generative AI: summary

What we know

• Police have apprehended a 25-year-old man suspected of crafting a computer virus with the aid of generative artificial intelligence in Tokyo, Japan. This is the country's first case involving a virus created with the assistance of generative AI.
• On Monday, May 27, Hayashi Ryuki was arrested on suspicion of employing AI to develop a ransomware virus. The virus allegedly incorporates programmes tailored to encrypt data on specific systems and demand cryptocurrency as ransom.
• Hayashi, reportedly lacking IT expertise, accessed several AI dialogue search engines online in March as he repeatedly looked for information on viruses.
• Hayashi has reportedly admitted to the allegations, informing investigators that he aimed to earn money and believed he could achieve anything by consulting AI.
• The police suspected Hayashi of creating a virus after arresting him in March of this year for allegedly using fake identification to obtain a SIM card registered under someone else's name.
• Since he allegedly failed to acquire the necessary programme to implement the malware, authorities believe that no damage was caused by the virus.

What they said

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Hayashi is suspected of repeatedly soliciting multiple generative AI systems to extract information, aiming to create a computer virus as a means to earn money. Hayashi who is currently unemployed admitted to this suspicions when questioned: “I wanted to make money through ransomware. I thought I could do anything if I asked AI,” as reported by Asia News Network.