Govt prioritises access to Anthropic's Mythos AI model to strengthen cybersecurity: IT Secretary
New Delhi, July 13
The government is actively pursuing access to Anthropic's advanced AI model, Mythos, as part of its efforts to bolster cybersecurity and identify software vulnerabilities, while simultaneously preparing with alternative AI models in anticipation of securing access, IT Secretary S. Krishnan said on Monday.
Speaking about the government's efforts, Krishnan said discussions are underway with US authorities and the company to obtain access to Mythos and other frontier AI models.
"While the process is still under negotiation, the government is not waiting idly and has already begun using alternative AI models to identify and address software vulnerabilities," he noted.
"Mythos has demonstrated an ability to uncover vulnerabilities in widely used software that often remained unresolved because they were considered low priority, too expensive to fix, or had simply gone undetected," Krishnan said.
He said the technology presents an opportunity to systematically identify such weaknesses and correct them, making access to Mythos and similar advanced AI systems a key priority for the government.
"The government has taken up the matter with its counterparts in the United States as well as the companies developing these frontier AI models. However, access involves a formal process that is currently being negotiated," he mentioned.
In the meantime, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has established a dedicated sandbox, or "war room", where alternative AI models are being used to test software code, detect vulnerabilities and develop secure workflows.
These substitute models are estimated to offer around 60 to 70 per cent of the capabilities of Mythos, enabling officials to conduct extensive testing even before gaining access to the more advanced system.
Krishnan said CERT-In is probing different elements of software code, identifying vulnerabilities and fixing them through this controlled environment. He described the ongoing exercise as a "dry run" designed to ensure that systems and processes are ready once access to Mythos becomes available.
He added that the initiative is also helping the government tackle a significant proportion of software vulnerabilities despite not yet having access to the advanced AI model.
Referring to current US export restrictions on advanced AI technologies, Krishnan acknowledged that such controls remain a hurdle in securing access to frontier AI systems.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is a smart move. Cyber vulnerabilities are a universal problem, and collaborating with the US on this makes sense. The "dry run" approach with CERT-In sandbox shows India is not sitting idle. Hope the negotiations don't get caught up in geopolitical tensions.
Finally, some good news on the tech front! 😊 The fact that Mythos can find vulnerabilities that were previously ignored – that's a game-changer. But I hope the government is also looking at privacy implications. AI that scans software code is powerful, but we need safeguards against misuse.
Typical Indian government approach – begging for access to foreign tech instead of building our own. We have talented AI researchers in IITs and IISc, why not fund them properly? This "war room" sandbox is a temporary fix, not a long-term solution.
Interesting how India is navigating US export controls. It's a delicate balance – wanting advanced tech while respecting international regimes. The 60-70% capability from alternatives is promising. If CERT-In can fix even half the vulnerabilities in widely used software, that's a huge win for digital India.
This is exactly what we need! Indian cybersecurity infrastructure has been struggling with outdated systems. Access to Mythos could be a massive boost. But I'm concerned about the cost – will this be another expensive licensing deal, or will we negotiate favorable terms given the strategic importance? 🤔
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.