Small AI models may be months from being able to self-replicate on IoT devices

Techmeme reports that Anthropic researchers say small AI models may be months away from being able to self-replicate on IoT devices, including smart ovens and off-brand Android TV boxes. Anthropic says no fully rogue replicator exists yet; its researchers ran a model across 15 TV boxes and forecast that small models could reach the needed capability level by the end of 2026 if they improve at their historical rate. Small weight-based replicators may be possible soon after, Anthropic says.