Australia could soon face a crippling cyber attack aided by a popular chatbot, ChatGPT.

Language processing tools such as ChatGPT that use artificial technology to speed up work and learning are spreading through schools, universities and businesses.

More than half (54 per cent) of Australian IT professionals predict the country is less than a year away from a successful cyber attack being credited to ChatGPT, according to research released by software and services firm BlackBerry.

More than two-thirds (67 per cent) said foreign states may already be using the technology for malicious purposes against rival nations.  

IT professionals surveyed said ChatGPT’s ability to help less experienced hackers improve their technical knowledge and develop more specialised skills was a top concern.

Using the tool to craft more believable and legitimate-sounding scam emails was also a concern for many respondents.

“Australia is well known as a nation of early adopters – and like any new technology, ChatGPT is being tested by different industries and individuals for all kinds of purposes,” BlackBerry executive Jonathan Jackson said.

“We know that hackers are also testing it for nefarious means.”

Artificial intelligence can also be used to fight attacks.

Within the next 12 months, almost half (48 per cent) of IT decision makers surveyed intend to invest in AI-driven cyber security technology to combat the potential threat posed by ChatGPT.

The survey of 1500 people was taken across Australia, North America and the United Kingdom.

Almost all (95 per cent) said governments had a responsibility to regulate advanced technologies.

By Marion Rae in Canberra