OpenAI’s cyber defense letter gets the diagnosis right and the prescription wrong

On August 27, 2026, OpenAI published an open letter titled “ A call for collective action on cyber defense .” More than 100 organizations signed it ( CNBC counted 116 ) including Anthropic, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Mastercard, and Visa. The central message is blunt: In the coming months, AI-enabled cyberattacks will become far more widespread and sophisticated as models around the world become increasingly capable. They’re right, and the letter is more honest t