In recent weeks, a series of journalistic investigations have revealed how generative artificial intelligence is amplifying concrete risks to people's safety and rights, from malware that exploits AI to harvest sensitive data to apps hiding abusive deepfake features. These episodes raise urgent questions about ethical AI and AI governance, topics at the heart of the upcoming HDAI Summit 2026 in Pompeii.
What happened
According to Wired, a new infostealer called Volta-Autodoxer uses AI tools to collect troves of data about victims, from login credentials and credit card numbers to Discord sessions and UberEats receipts. The malware, dubbed "autodoxer," leverages AI to automate the search and extraction of sensitive information, making attacks more effective and targeted.
Also from Wired, chatbots are leading hikers astray, with potentially deadly consequences. Outsourcing planning to AI can lead people to surrender their own critical thinking, which can have potentially deadly results in places like the backcountry. Another Wired article uncovered some 400 apps and websites linked to Chinese-language developers that look like regular AI tools but had secret features letting users create violent AI-generated images and video. Finally, a Wired piece explores when you should—and shouldn't—use AI to search the web, noting that chatbots can be useful but not always reliable.
Why it matters
These cases show that generative AI is lowering the barriers for malicious activities, making it easier for bad actors to conduct large-scale attacks. The Volta-Autodoxer malware demonstrates how AI can be used to automate the collection of personal data, violating privacy and putting victims' financial security at risk. Apps with abusive deepfake features pose a direct threat to people's dignity and rights, particularly women, who are often the primary victims of this technology. Moreover, the uncritical use of chatbots to plan outdoor activities highlights how over-reliance on AI can lead to dangerous decisions with potentially fatal consequences. These episodes raise questions about how to ensure responsible AI and what role regulation, such as the EU AI Act, should play in preventing abuse.
The HDAI perspective
At Human Driven AI, we believe technological innovation must be guided by ethical principles and solid governance. The cases of Volta-Autodoxer, abusive deepfake apps, and chatbots endangering hikers are not isolated incidents but signals of an ecosystem growing without adequate controls. It's not a technical problem, it's a governance problem: without clear rules and accountability mechanisms, AI will continue to be exploited for harmful purposes. We need a human-centered approach with algorithmic audits, transparency, and legal responsibility for developers. Ethical AI is not a luxury but a condition for a safe and inclusive digital future. The upcoming HDAI Summit 2026 in Pompeii will be an opportunity to discuss these challenges with experts, institutions, and companies, and to promote Italian AI innovation that is at the forefront not only in technology but also in protecting rights.
What to watch
In the coming months, regulators are likely to intensify scrutiny of AI apps and chatbots, especially in light of the EU AI Act. It will be interesting to see whether transparency obligations for AI tool developers are introduced and whether platforms adopt stricter measures to prevent abusive uses. Furthermore, research on AI-enhanced malware could lead to new defenses but also new threats. The challenge will be finding a balance between innovation and security without stifling AI's positive potential.