Tag: Mistral

  • CLOSEDQUORUM: The AI-Powered Malware That Uses Multiple Models to Choose Its Next Move

    CLOSEDQUORUM: The AI-Powered Malware That Uses Multiple Models to Choose Its Next Move

    Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a new Windows malware strain that leverages multiple artificial intelligence models to guide its own actions during an attack. Named CLOSEDQUORUM by researchers at Cisco Talos, the malware represents a significant evolution in how cybercriminals may incorporate AI into malicious software.

    How CLOSEDQUORUM Works

    Unlike traditional malware, which follows a fixed set of instructions from its developers, CLOSEDQUORUM can communicate with up to four AI systems: Google Gemini, DeepSeek, Qwen, and Mistral. Researchers describe this arrangement as a kind of “hive mind,” where the malware can seek input from multiple models rather than depending on a single AI service.

    If one AI service becomes unavailable, the others can continue to provide responses, allowing the malware to keep operating without a human operator selecting its next action. According to Cisco Talos, CLOSEDQUORUM can choose from a predefined set of activities, including stealing login credentials and cryptocurrency-related information. However, researchers have not yet identified the malware’s creator or confirmed that it has been used in real-world attacks.

    A Growing Category of AI-Integrated Malware

    Cisco Talos has established the Cognitive Artifact Intelligence Research Network (CAIRN) to identify and study malware that incorporates AI. The researchers say AI-enabled programs often leave behind identifiable traces that can help security teams distinguish them from conventional malware.

    When Cisco Talos first searched for AI-powered malware, they found roughly nine named families and several proof-of-concept samples. After developing CAIRN, the team identified about 20 additional examples within a few months, suggesting this technique is quickly becoming more common.

    AI Moves Beyond a Tool for Attackers

    The discovery of CLOSEDQUORUM points to a shift in how AI is being used in cybercrime. Previously, discussions focused on attackers using AI to generate phishing emails, write malicious code, or automate tasks. Now, AI is being embedded directly into malware itself, providing real-time guidance during an operation.

    Cisco Talos researcher Matt Olney said attackers are beginning to “operationalize” AI, potentially allowing malicious campaigns to adapt to different systems and expand their reach. For security teams, this means monitoring AI-related indicators will likely become an increasingly important part of malware detection and analysis.

  • Samsung Reportedly Plans €1 Billion Investment in AI Startup Mistral at €20 Billion Valuation

    Samsung Reportedly Plans €1 Billion Investment in AI Startup Mistral at €20 Billion Valuation

    Samsung Electronics is reportedly in discussions to invest approximately €1 billion in French artificial intelligence company Mistral, a deal that could value the startup at around €20 billion. The potential investment signals deepening ties between the world’s leading memory chip maker and one of Europe’s most prominent AI developers, with implications for AI chip supply, model development, and the continent’s push for greater technological independence.

    Talks Underway, No Confirmed Agreement Yet

    According to the Financial Times, which first reported the talks, Samsung’s possible investment could be part of a larger funding round that also includes Sweden’s EQT Scaleup Europe Fund. Reuters later confirmed the discussions, noting that the commitment could reach hundreds of millions of euros. Some reports place the figure near €1 billion, though neither Samsung nor Mistral has publicly confirmed a deal.

    A €20 billion valuation would place Mistral among Europe’s most valuable private technology companies, up from its previous reported valuation of about €11.7 billion. The companies already have an existing relationship: Samsung’s venture capital unit previously invested in the Paris-based AI startup. Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch visited Samsung’s semiconductor campus in Hwaseong, South Korea, in April, where he met senior executives and discussed AI chip supply chains.

    Chip Access and Strategic Benefits

    Samsung produces high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips essential for training large AI models, as well as advanced logic chips through its foundry business. Demand for such hardware is soaring as AI companies scale up their models, while supply remains constrained. A closer partnership could give Samsung a major customer for its AI hardware, while Mistral would gain more reliable access to the chips needed to train and run its systems.

    Reports suggest Samsung may also seek a seat on Mistral’s board, and the two companies could explore integrating Mistral’s models into Samsung devices or AI services. These terms have not been confirmed and would depend on negotiations, regulatory approvals, and corporate sign-offs.

    Europe’s Push for AI Sovereignty

    Mistral, founded in Paris in 2023, develops large language models that can be downloaded and operated independently. It has positioned itself as a European counterweight to major American AI providers and even supplies technology to the French military. European governments and companies are increasingly seeking more control over AI infrastructure, especially after recent restrictions on access to advanced American AI models.

    Mistral has already expanded its commercial partnerships. Microsoft recently agreed to spend billions on European computing infrastructure linked to the company. Meanwhile, competition from Chinese AI developers, such as Moonshot AI, is intensifying. Mensch has stated that Mistral expects annual recurring revenue to exceed $1 billion by the end of 2026, reflecting growing enterprise demand.

    Any Samsung investment would likely face European regulatory review. For now, the reported talks continue without a confirmed agreement or public funding timeline.