North Korea Boosts AI Research with Banned NVIDIA GPUs, Fueling Cyber Attacks

TLDR

• North Korea uses banned NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2700 GPUs to enhance its AI-driven cyber operations.
• The country’s AI research, dating back to the late 1990s, focuses on pattern recognition, voice processing, and data optimization.
• North Korea’s AI capabilities could support activities like cryptocurrency theft, money laundering, and disrupting communications.
• The GeForce RTX 2700 GPU helps North Korea run sophisticated AI models, increasing the efficiency of cybercrime operations.
• North Korea’s AI research benefits from cooperation with Russia and China, bypassing international sanctions to access advanced technologies.

North Korea is reportedly advancing its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities with banned NVIDIA graphics cards. According to a report by a South Korean Media outlet, THE CHOSUN Daily, these GPUs, specifically the GeForce RTX 2700, have been found in North Korean research facilities.

AI Research and Development in North Korea

North Korea has been conducting AI research since the late 1990s. The country’s focus has been on areas such as pattern recognition, voice processing, and data optimization. Over time, North Korea has strengthened its internal research through the development of self-reliant algorithms and the expansion of research institutions.

The Academy of Sciences’ Mathematics Research Institute and Pyongyang Lee University are key players in these AI advancements. Research this year has focused on areas like facial recognition and multi-object tracking. These developments improve both the accuracy and speed of AI systems, even in environments with limited data.

Experts believe that AI could be used for several malicious purposes in North Korea’s cyber efforts. AI-enabled systems could be deployed for identity creation, money laundering, and disrupting communications. “These technologies will provide a sharper edge in North Korea’s cyber operations,” said Kim Min Jung, head of the Advanced Technology Strategy Center.

NVIDIA GPUs Boost North Korea’s Cyber Operations

The report found that North Korea has acquired banned NVIDIA graphics cards, which enhance AI capabilities. The GeForce RTX 2700, in particular, is under a complete export ban by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). These GPUs enable North Korean researchers to run sophisticated AI models, boosting their cyber activities.

Experts highlight that AI could increase the speed and efficiency of North Korea’s cybercrime operations. The research suggests that AI can help optimize cryptocurrency theft and improve the precision of attacks. “These AI-powered systems allow for operations that can rival industrial scales with minimal personnel,” the report states. By leveraging AI, North Korea can carry out more attacks with greater frequency and sophistication. The AI research could also contribute to North Korea’s efforts in evading detection and creating deepfakes.

Experts point out that these developments make it harder for countries to detect and prevent North Korean cyber activities. The report also links North Korea’s AI advancements to growing cooperation with Russia and China. This collaboration, especially prominent since the Ukraine war, could speed up the application of AI in military and cyber activities. The continued support from these countries could help North Korea bypass international sanctions, further enhancing its AI capabilities.

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