New Delhi: A powerful new AI model is forcing governments, banks and technology companies to rethink cybersecurity rules — and in India, the risk may be even higher.Cloud Mythos, developed by Anthropic, has demonstrated the ability to autonomously detect and exploit software vulnerabilities, including flaws that have existed for decades. Initial tests showed that the model could identify long-standing vulnerabilities and simulate complex, multi-step cyberattacks, prompting the company to restrict its wider release. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei highlighted the change, noting that AI systems are now able to find vulnerabilities that “humans have missed”, a sign of how rapidly the cybersecurity landscape is changing.US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant reportedly called a meeting with top bank executives – including leaders from JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, BoA and Morgan Stanley – to assess the risks posed by such advanced AI systems.That concern is not ideological. According to Jaideep Singh, GM of India at Kaspersky, the emergence of such systems is a turning point not just for security professionals, but for everyday users. “We are closely monitoring how AI is reshaping the threat landscape, and the cloud mythos represents a moment that not just the cybersecurity industry but every user needs to understand,” Singh said.The dual-use nature of AI is a point of concern. The same capabilities that strengthen security can just as easily be weaponized. “The same capability that detects 27-year-old vulnerabilities in robust infrastructure is the same capability that turns every unpatched system into an open door if it gets into the wrong hands,” Singh said.Cybersecurity firm Check Point Software Technologies reiterated the warning. Check Point’s MD, India and South Asia, Sundar Balasubramaniam, says AI is “dramatically lowering the barrier of entry for cyber attackers,” enabling even less-skilled actors to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. He said defensive tools could be repurposed offensively, thereby bridging the traditional gap between attackers and defenders. Jayant Saran, partner, Deloitte India, described this as a “changed reality” where organizations must prepare for risks that were previously invisible. He called AI a “double-edged sword…that cannot be reversed”, highlighting the growing race between those who secure systems and those who attempt to break them.In India, the risks increase according to the scale. From UPI to banking and government platforms, millions of people depend on digital infrastructure – much of it built on legacy systems. These systems are often slow to patch, difficult to monitor, and lack continuous threat intelligence, creating what Saran calls “asymmetric risk exposure.” Singh noted that this gap is especially important in India, where legacy infrastructure serves millions of people.Beyond cybersecurity, the ripple effect could reach financial markets. Analysts say models like Mythos can automate parts of the IT services industry’s core functions – software development, testing and security. Although disruption may occur gradually, labor-intensive outsourcing models may face pressure, while companies adopting AI may benefit.