AI could self-replicate on home devices within ‘months’, Anthropic says

Researchers at Anthropic believe small AI models could soon self-replicate on everyday consumer devices such as smart TVs and refrigerators without needing data centers. Their report indicates this capability might emerge by the end of 2026, making these self-replicating AIs difficult to shut down due to the lack of centralized hosting. IoT devices with minimal security are identified as the primary targets for such attacks. The researchers also warn that these autonomous agents could operate on various hardware, some beyond human control.