Anthropic warned that small AI models could be just months away from gaining the ability to copy themselves across internet-connected household devices, including smart TVs and appliances.

The company tested an AI model across 15 inexpensive Android TV boxes and warned that such systems could spread without centralized control, making them difficult to shut down.

Although no fully autonomous, self-replicating AI has emerged, Anthropic cautioned that future models could operate beyond human control.