When AI models can find software vulnerabilities faster than any human security team, the old playbook for cybersecurity stops working. BNP Paribas is betting that the solution to AI-driven threats is, well, more AI.
The French banking giant announced an expanded partnership with Mistral AI on May 26, building on a relationship that started in 2023. The goal: deploy Mistral’s large language models to shore up defenses against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, including those powered by AI systems capable of identifying software weaknesses at machine speed.
What the deal actually looks like
The partnership isn’t new, but it’s getting substantially deeper. BNP Paribas formalized a multi-year agreement with Mistral on July 10, 2024, covering all current and future Mistral models across the bank’s operations. The latest expansion builds on that foundation with a specific focus on cybersecurity applications.
BNP Paribas Chief Information Officer Marc Camus highlighted the urgency during a joint press conference in Paris, pointing to AI-related cyber risks as a growing priority for the institution. The bank’s concern isn’t theoretical. Advanced AI models, including Anthropic’s Mythos, have demonstrated the ability to identify software vulnerabilities at a pace that far outstrips what human security researchers can manage.
