Von der Leyen Warns Frontier AI Could Enable Unprecedented Cyberattacks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her 2026 State of the Union address to highlight the cybersecurity dangers posed by advanced AI models, warning they could enable hacking at a scale previously unimaginable. She cautioned that such powerful models could fall into the hands of hostile actors, signaling that AI safety, model security, and supplier accountability will remain central to EU policy. Her remarks did not introduce new legal requirements but reinforced the EU's existing governance direction, including the AI Act framework. The EU is also expected to release a dedicated AI cybersecurity plan in July 2026, addressing both the threats and defensive opportunities that advanced AI presents. Von der Leyen additionally called for international cooperation on model evaluation and early warning systems, with partners including Canada and the UK.