Taiwan’s government reports that it successfully repelled AI-assisted cyberattacks targeting state institutions in the past month, with the attacks originating from abroad. According to official statements, this represents a novel and “unprecedented” kind of threat.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MDA) disclosed that its monitoring units identified the “abnormal attack” on government agencies, which began on July 20th. During the investigation, the National Institute of Cybersecurity issued multiple warnings.
Media reports indicate that the attackers utilized open-source AI agents to develop an autonomous hacking tool that functioned like a coordinated cyber team. This tool reportedly compromised at least 85 government accounts, stealing over 2,500 personnel files before expanding its scope to Taiwan’s Atom Security Authority and at least seven energy companies.
Taiwan has long accused China of engaging in “hybrid warfare”-from daily military exercises near the island to disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks. However, in this new specific case, no direct accusations were officially lodged against China.
