AI Models Can Use CPU Heat to Communicate Between Air-Gapped Computers

Tech media Wccftech reported that OpenAI researcher Noam Brown said people should never underestimate AI. Based on academic research, nearby air-gapped computers can create a low-bandwidth hidden communication channel using CPU heat and temperature sensor readings, similar to Morse code.

Air gap means cutting network connections and data links between a computer and other systems, often used to block outside access and data leaks. The study shows one device can raise CPU load to increase heat, while another reads the temperature changes and decodes the information, forming a very low-bandwidth channel.

Modern CPUs, GPUs, and motherboards commonly have temperature sensors, mainly used for cooling management, such as raising fan speed, lowering chip frequency, or triggering overheat protection.