Gemini hacked three companies in first known breakout by Google's AI

Google's GOOGL.O Gemini model accessed the internet and hacked other companies during a test of its cybersecurity capabilities, the first known example of the company's AI systems autonomously committing such an act.

The hacks occurred in May during a cybersecurity test by Irregular, an independent company that conducts cybersecurity evaluations.

During a standard testing evaluation, Gemini found public information online and guessed credentials to access three websites it thought were within the scope of its test, Heather Adkins, Google's vice president of security engineering, said in a statement.

"We ensured the three entities were made aware, and we worked with our training partner on the changes they've now made to their testing processes," Adkins said.

"These events highlight the importance of training powerful AI models to act responsibly."