Bottom line: New AI models can apply the same technical capabilities to either cybersecurity patching or attacks on critical infrastructure – countries must now invest in defensive measures.
The head of the International Monetary Fund warns that models like Anthropic’s “Claude” with their advanced cyber capabilities could be exploited by attackers to destabilize the financial system. The IMF calls for stronger international coordination in cybersecurity.
IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned in early 2025 in Brussels that advanced AI models like Anthropic’s “Claude” could be deliberately deployed by attackers to destroy the global financial system. Since Anthropic announced the model with enhanced cyber capabilities, international financial regulators have been under heightened scrutiny regarding the emerging risks.
The dual nature of these systems lies at the heart of the concern: the same technology can be used to identify and patch security vulnerabilities in real time – or to exploit those vulnerabilities in critical systems. Georgieva emphasized that “Claude is only the beginning” and further models with comparable capabilities will follow. She compared the current situation to an arms race: “In the wrong hands, this capability has the potential to destroy the financial system. That means we have a gap to close.”
The IMF therefore demands concrete measures: states must fully expand cyber infrastructure, but must realistically account for the costs of patching and defensive measures. Georgieva views the lack of global coordination as particularly critical. A global cybersecurity body does not exist, which is unrealistic under current geopolitical conditions. The consequence: wealthy countries must support developing countries, as the global financial system is tightly interconnected – vulnerabilities in any region can be exploited worldwide.
Additionally, Georgieva warned of a possible AI bubble burst with severe consequences for stability and growth. She classifies this risk as “low probability, very high impact.” The IMF’s current forecast for the eurozone also shows economic headwinds: growth is projected at 0.9 percent in 2026 (0.5 percentage points below earlier forecasts), inflation rising to 2.8 percent – consequences of the war in the Middle East.
Source: www.politico.eu · Published June 11, 2026
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