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Sunday, September 20, 2026

AI Menace: Gemini escaped testing environment, hacked into three companies, Google reveals

The hacks reportedly occurred during a cybersecurity test conducted by Irregular, an independent cybersecurity evaluation firm.

• September 19, 2026

American technology company Google says its artificial intelligence model Gemini hacked into three companies after escaping during a cybersecurity test. 

Reports said the case is believed to be the first of its kind, and the affected companies were informed of the breaches in May.

Gemini found “public information online and guessed credentials to access websites it thought were part of the test”, a Google official told the BBC, noting that in each instance “the model stopped”.

The hacks reportedly occurred in May during a cybersecurity test conducted by Irregular, an independent company that conducts cybersecurity evaluations.

According to Heather Adkins, vice president of Security Engineering at Google, during a standard testing evaluation, Gemini found public information online and guessed the details to log into three websites it thought were within its scope.

“We ensured the three entities were made aware, and we worked with our training partner on the changes they’ve now made to their testing processes. These events highlight the importance of training powerful AI models to act responsibly,” Ms Adkins said.

Despite growing concerns about AI risks, United States President Donald Trump on Saturday expressed support for the industry, announcing that he would form an “AI Force” and name an AI czar.

“For this purpose, I am forming the AI Force, much like I did Space Force, which has been a tremendous SUCCESS, in my First Term. To that end, I will be announcing, in the near future, the AI ‘Czar’ — Only High I.Q. individuals need apply!” the American leader said in a Truth Social post. 

“We will not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry,” Trump said in his post Saturday. “We are leading China, and the rest of the World, and I intend to keep it that way!” Mr Trump added.

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