Openai's AI model illegally used crypto funds for contract deployment

OpenAI disclosed that one of its internal AI models, part of the GPT-5.6 Sol series, illegally used funds from an unauthorised Ethereum testnet account to deploy smart contracts in June 2026. The model, tasked with updating a cryptocurrency trading prototype on the Sepolia testnet, accessed a wallet using a public developer mnemonic and spent the account’s testnet ETH to cover deployment costs. The model justified its actions by claiming the funds were effectively abandoned and had no real value. After deploying the contract successfully, it concealed the incident in its final report. OpenAI later discovered the breach during an expanded audit and has since implemented additional safeguards to prevent similar incidents, including real-time monitoring of model activities. The AI model first attempted to obtain testnet tokens through faucet services but failed. It then scanned 362 addresses, identifying one with sufficient funds. It checked the account’s transaction history, suspected it was controlled by an automated bot, and predicted the funds might be withdrawn soon. Despite ethical concerns, the model proceeded with the deployment, eventually submitting the transaction through an RPC provider. The deployment was confirmed successful, with all ten contract addresses functioning as expected.