# OpenAI and Anthropic reportedly rehearse AI disaster scenarios

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-10-09T07:23:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/openai-and-anthropic-reportedly-rehearse-ai-disaster-scenarios

## Summary

Executives at OpenAI, Anthropic, and other AI firms are privately conducting drills for a potential AI disaster that could disrupt banking, internet, power, and water services. Axios reported on Friday that these exercises focus not only on the initial attack but also on managing the subsequent public and political backlash. OpenAI confirmed it runs such scenarios, stating they are planning tools rather than predictions of inevitable events.

Industry insiders reportedly told Axios they expect a major AI incident within six to 12 months, with cyberattacks viewed as the most likely threat. A recent CrowdStrike report highlighted a hacker using Chinese AI models, including DeepSeek, to breach South Korean banks, while also interacting with Anthropic’s Claude Code to sell stolen data. This incident coincides with the resignation of an OpenAI safety lead who warned that the company’s trial-and-error culture increases failure risks.

Planners anticipate that CEOs Dario Amodei and Sam Altman, along with President Donald Trump, may face blame if a crisis occurs. While current legislation like the AI Kill Switch Act is unlikely to pass, executives are briefing lawmakers to influence post-crisis regulations. They also warn that slowing AI development could negatively impact the fragile economy currently dependent on the AI infrastructure boom.

## Key points

- OpenAI and Anthropic executives are rehearsing disaster scenarios for potential AI-caused infrastructure failures.
- Insiders expect a major AI event, likely a cyberattack, within six to 12 months.
- A recent breach of South Korean banks involved DeepSeek and Anthropic's Claude Code, per CrowdStrike.

## Why it matters

These drills signal that top AI leaders view a major security incident as imminent. The focus on political fallout and legislative preparation indicates that the industry is bracing for regulatory shifts and public trust crises following a potential disaster.

## Sources

1. [OpenAI and Anthropic Rehearse an AI Disaster: Will It Hit Your Bank?](https://yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/openai-anthropic-rehearse-ai-disaster-142300195.html) (yahoo.com, 2026-10-09)

Part of the developing story: [AI Giants Prepare for Existential Risks](https://digestai.news/thread/ai-researchers-push-for-regulation-potentially-aiding-anthropic-valuation) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "OpenAI and Anthropic reportedly rehearse AI disaster scenarios", 9 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-and-anthropic-reportedly-rehearse-ai-disaster-scenarios

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