Should we panic over AI threats to the internet?

A wave of panic has swept through the tech industry as AI models have exposed critical security flaws in software used by 70% of websites. Prominent figures like Nikita Bier, a former X product head, have urged people to 'turn off the internet,' while others, like Stephanie Cohen of Cloudflare, have called for calm. AI is now enabling hackers to find and exploit vulnerabilities at an unprecedented speed, leading to a surge in reported software weaknesses. However, companies like OpenAI, Cloudflare, and Amazon are using AI to detect and fix these issues, with initiatives like Patch the Planet and Amazon's Continuum service aiming to improve cybersecurity. Software engineer Ben Kaufman noted the irony that while AI is blamed for the crisis, it's actually helping to clean up decades of human-made software flaws. Tom Occhino of Vercel suggested that the panic might push the industry to prioritize security, while also questioning the necessity of connecting everyday devices to the internet.