Could artificial intelligence one day be transferred from one device to another within the home? A study by Anthropic, published on October 12, 2026, examines such a scenario and even mentions “smart” ovens and Android TV boxes.
What did the researchers study?
The team examined whether small AI models can perform individual self-replication steps on internet-connected devices, known as the Internet of Things (IoT). In some tests, a model with approximately 9 billion parameters managed to initiate execution processes on eight out of nine different types of hardware examined.
The researchers point out that success in individual steps does not always equate to reliable completion of the entire process. A controlled experiment is one thing; a large-scale attack is another.
Why are we talking about smart ovens?
Modern household appliances may have software, computing power, and a network connection. This makes them interesting, in theory, as platforms from which small models or malicious processes could be executed.
There is no evidence in the research that such an “AI epidemic” is currently spreading in homes. This is an analysis of future possibilities and risks.
What makes this risk different?
A typical piece of malware follows specific instructions. A more autonomous AI system could, in theory, adapt its approach to different devices. The study raises questions about how to detect, control, and remove it when there isn’t a central server that can simply be shut down.
What can you do right now in your own home?
- Check whether the manufacturer continues to provide security updates for your connected device.
- Change the default passwords on your router and smart devices.
- Disable any remote access services you don’t use.
- Do not connect unknown devices to your home network without verifying them first.
The important takeaway isn’t that the oven developed a “mind of its own.” It’s that the security of connected devices is becoming increasingly important as the ability to run AI outside of data centers grows.
Source: Anthropic, October 12, 2026. Stock photo: James Yarema / Unsplash.