AI "Mind Viruses" Can Spread Between Agents Through Persistent Prompt Files

Researchers at Anthropic and EPFL have demonstrated that AI agents can spread self-propagating ‘mind viruses’ – payloads designed to implant beliefs or compel specific behaviors – through editable system prompt files. These payloads, including crypto-ads, Gitwraps, and deletors, can spread between agents, even if the o…