technology

AI discovered a massive cyber-security flaw - here's what happened

AI discovered a massive cyber-security flaw - here's what happened

The BBC's technology correspondent Joe Tidy explains how it happened, and what it means for you.

Governments and cyber-security agencies around the world are scrambling to contain a massive flaw in internet technology, after AI discovered issues that could be exploited by hackers.

Developers of the PHP platform - which powers more than 70% of websites, including Wikipedia and digital shopping sites - rolled out patches to fix the vulnerabilities that had been lurking in their software for years.

Cyber-security firm Wiz described the issue as the "most severe" ever detected, while OpenAI, whose technology was used to find the flaws, called the discovery "one of the most impactful security issues in recent memory".

But how did AI discover a massive cyber-security risk in the internet, and what does it mean for you? The BBC's technology correspondent Joe Tidy reports.

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