Smashing Security podcast #454: AI was not plotting humanity’s demise. Humans were
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.
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Smashing Security podcast #454: AI was not plotting humanity’s demise. Humans were
Hacking stories and cybersecurity insights.
[Image: Graham Cluley]
Graham Cluley @ 12:30 am, February 12, 2026
@grahamcluley.com
/ grahamcluley
[Image: Smashing Security podcast #454: AI was not plotting humanity’s demise. Humans were]
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.
[Image: Podcast artwork]
#### Smashing Security #454:
AI was not plotting humanity’s demise. Humans were
#### Host:
Graham Cluley:
@grahamcluley.com
/ grahamcluley
#### Guest:
Iain Thomson:
/ iain-thomson-abb6651
#### 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)
- Meter – Network infrastructure for the enterprise. Get a free personalised demo.
- Vanta – Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off!
- Passwork – a reliable secrets manager and password management solution.
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#### Thanks:
Theme tune: “Vinyl Memories” by Mikael Manvelyan.
Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.
Found this article interesting? Follow Graham Cluley on LinkedIn, Bluesky, or Mastodon to read more of the exclusive content we post.
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- AI
- Denial of Service
- Law & order
- Podcast
- Security threats
- #AI
- #artificial intelligence
- #Italy
- #Moltbook
- #Podcast
- #russia
- #Smashing Security
- #Winter Olympics
[Image: Graham Cluley]
Graham Cluley
Graham Cluley is an award-winning keynote speaker who has given presentations around the world about cybersecurity, hackers, and online privacy. A veteran of the computer security industry since the early 1990s, he wrote the first ever version of Dr Solomon's Anti-Virus Toolkit for Windows, makes regular media appearances, and hosts the popular "Smashing Security" podcast.
Follow him on LinkedIn, Bluesky and Mastodon, or drop him an email.
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[Original source](https://grahamcluley.com/smashing-security-podcast-454/)