A 25-year-old unemployed man from Kawasaki has been arrested for allegedly creating a computer virus using online generative artificial intelligence (AI).
This case is considered the first in Japan involving the creation of viruses with the help of generative AI systems.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested Ryuki Hayashi on May 27, accusing him of creating electronic or magnetic records containing unauthorised commands.
According to investigators, Hayashi used his home computer and smartphone in March 2023 to gather information on malware creation from several generative AI systems.
The virus Hayashi crafted was designed to encrypt data on targeted systems and demand cryptocurrency as ransom. Fortunately, police have reported no instances of damage caused by the virus.
Police reported that Hayashi admitted to the charge, stating, “I wanted to make money through ransomware. I thought I could do anything if I asked AI.”
Despite efforts by platforms like OpenAI’s ChatGPT to prevent generating content related to criminal activity, some interactive AI systems on the internet still provide unrestricted information that can be exploited for illegal purposes, sources said.
Hayashi reportedly used AI systems without revealing his intention to create a virus, seeking design information for encrypting files and demanding ransom.
He allegedly searched online for illegal methods to obtain this information. The MPD is also examining the capabilities of the generative AI he utilized.
Hayashi was arrested by the MPD in March on suspicion of fraud for fraudulently signing up for a smartphone SIM card.
A search of his you home led to the discovery of an homemade virus on his computer and other seized items.
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