The New York Times reported on Thursday that hackers infiltrated OpenAI's internal messaging system last year, stealing information related to the company's AI technology design.
The report, citing two people familiar with the matter, said the hackers obtained details from an online forum where employees discussed OpenAI's latest technology.
However, the report added that the hackers did not access the systems used by OpenAI to store and develop AI. OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is backed by Microsoft.
When Reuters sought comment from OpenAI, the company did not immediately respond.
Reportedly, OpenAI executives informed employees at a meeting last April and briefed the company’s board about the breach. However, as no customer or partner information was stolen, the executives decided not to disclose it publicly.
The report noted that OpenAI executives do not consider the incident a national security threat, believing the hacker to be an individual with no known ties to foreign governments. The company, based in San Francisco, did not inform federal law enforcement agencies.
In May this year, OpenAI said it had thwarted five covert influence operations attempting to misuse its AI models for "deceptive activities," marking the latest incident raising concerns about the potential abuse of the technology.
