Google says its AI agent stopped a cyberattack even before hackers made a move

In a major leap for cybersecurity, Google has announced that its AI agent, Big Sleep, stopped a cyber threat before hackers could even act. This move shifts digital security from reactive measures to a new AI-driven, proactive defense system.

A New Era in Cyber Defense

On July 15, 2025, Google CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that Big Sleep discovered and blocked a critical vulnerability in SQLite, a popular open-source database engine. The AI system acted before any malicious actor had a chance to exploit it.

This wasn’t just another security alert. Big Sleep identified, analyzed, and helped fix the flaw—all before any damage occurred. It marked the first time an AI system had stopped a potential exploit in real time, with no prior known attacks.

What Makes Big Sleep Different?

Big Sleep is a powerful AI system developed by Google DeepMind and Project Zero. It works as a real-time digital watchdog, scanning code, signals, and software behavior across the web.

Unlike traditional systems that only react to known threats, Big Sleep actively looks for new patterns and investigates anything unusual. It doesn’t just flag potential risks. It understands context, reasons through it, and triggers action.

Since late 2024, Google had been running Big Sleep quietly across its security operations. Its ability to detect unknown flaws sets it apart from legacy tools.

SQLite Vulnerability: CVE-2025-6965

The specific flaw—CVE-2025-6965—existed in SQLite, used by millions of applications and platforms. It allowed hackers to run code remotely by exploiting memory errors.

Big Sleep scanned behavior logs and noticed unusual signals around the database’s codebase. It matched the threat patterns with other warning signs from Google’s systems. Then it flagged the issue for immediate review.

Google’s security team validated the AI’s findings. Engineers patched the issue and rolled out the SQLite 3.50.2 update—all before any public reports of exploitation.

Why This Is a Turning Point

Traditionally, security teams react after an attack. They spot the breach, analyze it, and then issue a patch. Even the best systems rely on known indicators or past behaviors.

Big Sleep changes that mindset. It predicts and prevents attacks by reading signals humans might miss. It combines code analysis with logic and real-time data, allowing it to move faster than any human analyst.

This marks the shift from “detect and respond” to “predict and prevent.”

Human Oversight Keeps AI in Check

Despite its autonomy, Big Sleep doesn’t act alone. Google uses a human-in-the-loop approach. That means AI finds the problem and offers a solution, but final approval comes from expert analysts.

Engineers have built strict safety rules around the AI’s capabilities. It can’t shut systems down or make irreversible changes on its own. Every action is tracked, and override controls are always in place.

This balance ensures Big Sleep works like a trusted advisor, not an uncontrolled machine.

Google’s Bigger Cybersecurity Vision

Big Sleep is just the beginning. Google has already begun testing other AI tools to boost digital safety:

• Timesketch helps investigators analyze digital forensics using AI.
• FACADE looks for insider threats and suspicious internal behavior.
• AI is also being added to ChromeOS and Android for on-device threat detection.

Google plans to share parts of Big Sleep’s codebase with researchers and developers. This move could make the broader tech community more secure.

A Warning to Cybercriminals

For years, hackers had time on their side. They could wait, plan, and then strike with little warning. With AI agents like Big Sleep, that window has shrunk.

Hackers might not even get a chance to launch their attacks. If security systems can stop threats before execution, cybercrime could become much harder.

This shift could save companies billions in damages and protect millions of users.

What It Means for You

For the average user, Big Sleep’s success brings hope. If AI can guard large systems like Google’s infrastructure, it could soon protect personal devices too.

Soon, your smartphone or laptop may have an AI system that fixes problems before they become real threats. That’s a big step toward a safer digital life.

Final Thoughts

Google’s Big Sleep isn’t just a tool—it’s a new chapter in cybersecurity. By catching threats before they strike, AI takes on a proactive role in digital defense.

With proper checks in place, these AI agents could reshape how we protect software, data, and people online. As more companies adopt similar systems, the web could become far more secure than ever before.

The future of cybersecurity is already here—and it thinks ahead.