The greatest danger in the digital age may not be the invention of new ways to attack computer systems, but the discovery of weaknesses that have remained hidden for years. The recent crisis involving PHP, a programming language used to build websites and online services, raises a fundamental question: are the institutions driving digital transformation keeping pace with the risks it creates? PHP supports a vast range of online operations, from content platforms to commercial websites.

Serious flaws in widely used software can therefore have consequences far beyond individual companies. Depending on how vulnerable systems are configured, attackers may gain control of servers, access confidential information or compromise databases. The possibility of public institutions and businesses suspending online services to protect themselves demonstrates the importance of reliable technology to economic activity and government operations. Artificial intelligence adds a consequential dimension to the problem. Researchers have used advanced AI tools to identify weaknesses that had escaped detection for years.

This is a significant advance: flaws can be exposed and corrected before they cause greater damage. But the same capabilities may lower the........

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