
AI bots are having existential crises, inventing religions, and allegedly plotting against humanity… or so the internet would have you believe.
We dig into Moltbook, the “AI-only” social network that sent Twitter into a meltdown, attracted breathless talk of the singularity, and turned out to be far less Terminator and far more humans role-playing as bots.
Plus we discuss why “vibe coding” your app might be a catastrophically bad idea, when security researchers can easily peek inside rifle through your private messages, API keys, and databases.
Also this week we learn that pro-Russian hackers are circling the Winter Olympics – or is it the Jamaican Bobsleigh team?
All this and more is discussed in episode 454 of the “Smashing Security” podcast with cybersecurity veteran Graham Cluley, and special guest Iain Thomson.

Smashing Security #454:
AI was not plotting humanity’s demise. Humans were
Host:
Graham Cluley:
Guest:
Iain Thomson:
Episode links:
- AI Agents Created Their Own Religion, Crustafarianism, On An Agent-Only Social Network – Forbes.
- I Infiltrated Moltbook, the AI-Only Social Network Where Humans Aren’t Allowed – Wired.
- ‘Moltbook’ social media site for AI agents had big security hole, cyber firm Wiz says – Reuters.
- Italy blames Russia-linked hackers for cyberattacks ahead of Winter Olympics – The Record.
- Italy says railways hit by ‘serious sabotage’ as Winter Olympics begin – BBC News.
- EpsteIN – GitHub.
- Private Eye.
- Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)
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Thanks:
Theme tune: “Vinyl Memories” by Mikael Manvelyan.
Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.


