WSJ Tech News Briefing – Tech Minute: Anthropic’s AI Used by Chinese Hackers in Cyberattacks

Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Julie Chang (The Wall Street Journal)

Episode Overview

In this rapid-fire Tech Minute, WSJ breaks exclusive news about Chinese state-sponsored hackers leveraging Anthropic's AI to automate cyberattacks. The episode also covers key updates from Baidu in AI chips, Disney's mixed Q4 results, and Verizon’s largest job cuts to date. The tone is concise, urgent, and focused on delivering the day's top tech news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chinese Hackers Use Anthropic AI for Cyberattacks

• Exclusive Report: Chinese state-backed hackers used Anthropic’s AI technology to automate cyberattacks in September 2025.
• Targets: About 30 entities—including major corporations and foreign governments—were chosen.
• Automation:
  • Anthropic's head of threat intelligence:

    “80 to 90% of each attack was automated, with humans only intervening in a handful of decision points.” (00:44)

  • This indicates a new level of sophistication and efficiency in AI-powered hacking.
• Outcome:
  • Anthropic managed to disrupt the campaign and block the hackers’ accounts.
  • Despite intervention, up to four intrusions succeeded.
  • The U.S. Government was not among the successful breaches.
• Official Responses:
  • Chinese Embassy did not comment at the time of reporting.
  • China officially denies involvement in hacking campaigns.
• Significance:
  • First confirmed case of state-sponsored actors using a major U.S. AI provider for automated large-scale hacks.
  • Raises urgent questions about the security and export control of advanced AI systems.

2. Baidu Accelerates China’s AI Chip Push

• Announcement: Baidu unveiled two new AI chips as part of China’s heavy investment in self-sufficiency.
• The Chips:
  • M100: Available next year, focused on “large-scale inferencing.”
  • M300: Arriving in 2027, designed for “ultra large-scale model training and inference.”
• Broader Context:
  • Signals increasing Chinese commitment to reduce reliance on foreign (especially U.S.) semiconductor technology.
  • Reflects China’s strategy to dominate foundational AI infrastructure.

3. Disney’s Q4: Flat Revenues, Streaming Grows, TV/Movie Down

• Financials:
  • Company-wide operating income fell 5%—driven by troubles in television and movies.
  • Parks and streaming segments saw profit gains.
• Subscriber Growth:
  • Disney+ and Hulu added 12.4 million subscribers, totaling 195.7 million for the quarter.
• Profitability Outlook:
  • Disney forecasts streaming business profitability to hit 10% in the coming fiscal year (up from 5% in 2025).

4. Verizon Announces Record Job Cuts

• Layoffs:
  • Roughly 15,000 jobs to be cut—the largest in Verizon’s history.
• Why?
  • Move aims to reduce costs amid intensifying competition in wireless and home internet.
• Timing:
  • Cuts set to happen within a week.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On AI-Driven Hacks:

  “80 to 90% of each attack was automated, with humans only intervening in a handful of decision points.”
  — Anthropic Head of Threat Intelligence (00:44)

• On Quantum Computing Future:
  (Opening thought from Katie Pizzolato, IBM)

  “Personally, I'm most excited about the potential applications we don't know yet. It's very exciting to think about where we all sat at the dawn of classical computation and not to ever imagine where we are today.” (00:01)

  • An inspiring reflection to open the newscast, framing the broader context of rapid technological change.

Important Timestamps

• 00:01 — Katie Pizzolato (IBM) on quantum computing’s unknown future
• 00:18 — Main headline: Anthropic AI exploited by Chinese state-sponsored hackers
• 00:44 — Breakdown: 80–90% automation in hack campaigns
• 01:12 — Baidu unveils M100 and M300 AI chips for self-sufficiency
• 01:28 — Disney’s Q4 results: streaming up, TV/movies down
• 01:48 — Verizon’s plan for record 15,000 job cuts

Episode Tone & Style

• Concise, energetic, and focused on headline news
• No fluff or extended analysis—summary of the day’s most important stories
• Maintains a sense of urgency and relevance for business and tech professionals

Summary Conclusion

This Tech Minute delivers high-impact, breaking stories across the tech landscape. The headline—Chinese hackers leveraging U.S.-developed AI for near-fully automated cyberattacks—not only signals a new era in cybersecurity threats but also prompts urgent policy discussions about the international governance of advanced AI. The rest of the episode underscores the global tech competition, corporate realignments, and shifting market dynamics shaping tomorrow’s technology headlines.