Kawasaki man arrested for malware created using generative AI

Tokyo police have arrested a 25-year-old man for allegedly creating malware using generative artificial intelligence tools available for free online.

Ryuki Hayashi from Kawasaki was arrested by the Metropolitan Police on suspicion of unauthorized creation of electronic records.

According to the police, there have been very few cases in which the police took enforcement action against the creation of malware using generative AI technology.

Hayashi, who admitted to the allegations, reportedly said he wanted to “make easy money” and believed he “could do anything” if he used AI.

Hayashi is suspected of creating the malware in March last year by combining illegal malware designs obtained through the use of interactive generative AI tools.

The malware was similar to ransomware, which causes data on computers to be encrypted and held for ransom, according to police.

Because Hayashi is believed to have failed to obtain a program needed to put the malware into practice, police believe the malware caused no damage.

Many generative AI service providers take steps to ensure that questions that could lead to the creation of malware or other crimes are not answered. In order to escape such measures, Hayashi allegedly asked many indirect questions.

Hayashi, a former factory worker, is not a malware expert. He allegedly learned online how to ask AI tools questions to get information on how to create malware.

Police suspected Hayashi of creating malware after arresting him in March this year for allegedly using fake IDs to obtain a SIM card registered under someone else's name.