IMF Says Claude Mythos Could Make Cyberattacks Faster And More Dangerous, Here Is Why

When the US-based AI giant Anthropic unveiled Claude Mythos on April 7, 2026, the company made one thing very clear: this AI model would not be released publicly. Unlike earlier Claude versions, Mythos was described as too advanced and potentially too dangerous for unrestricted access. At the time, the OpenAI rival said the model was capable of identifying cybersecurity flaws at a scale beyond what humans could detect. Now, nearly a month later, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stepped in with a fresh warning of its own. In a recent blog post, the IMF said AI systems like Claude Mythos could pose “systematic risks” to the global financial ecosystem if they fall into the wrong hands or are misused.Why Claude Mythos Is Raising ConcernsAccording

to Anthropic, Claude Mythos can identify thousands of security vulnerabilities across software systems and operating platforms, including flaws that human experts may miss entirely. That capability, while impressive, is also exactly what worries regulators. The IMF said advanced AI models can “dramatically reduce the time and cost” needed to discover and exploit vulnerabilities. In simpler terms, cybercriminals could use AI to attack systems faster than organisations can patch them. The report warned that once a weakness is discovered in one widely used system, attackers may replicate the same exploit across banks, payment systems and financial institutions using similar infrastructure. The IMF described this possibility as “correlated failures”, large-scale disruptions capable of affecting payments, accounts and other core financial services globally.The Mystery Behind Mythos - Explained On Times Now DigitalAttackers Could Move Faster Than DefendersThe IMF’s biggest concern appears to be speed. According to the organisation, AI-powered attacks could happen “at machine speed,” giving bad actors a massive advantage over traditional cybersecurity systems. It also warned that exploiting vulnerabilities may happen much faster than companies can respond with fixes or updates. Interestingly, the IMF suggested that sectors beyond finance could also be affected, including telecom networks, energy systems and public services that rely on shared digital infrastructure.Governments Want Access To MythosAt present, Claude Mythos remains available only to a limited group of around 40 organisations under Anthropic’s “Project Glasswing” initiative. Reports suggest companies, including Amazon, Google and Apple, currently have access. However, many global financial institutions and governments outside the US reportedly do not. According to reports, countries including India, Canada and members of the European Union are now seeking access to the model to strengthen their own cybersecurity defences. But the IMF noted growing concerns around unequal protection levels if only select organisations can use such advanced tools.The IMF is now calling for stronger international cooperation, shared cybersecurity frameworks and AI-assisted defence systems to prevent future large-scale risks.