Xbow AI Bot Surpasses Human Hackers on HackerOne
In a major shift for the cybersecurity landscape, AI-powered bot Xbow has taken the #1 spot on HackerOne’s reputation leaderboard, outperforming human ethical hackers. The AI bot, developed by a startup of the same name founded by former GitHub executive Oege de Moor, has gained notoriety for identifying a record number of critical vulnerabilities in the systems of tech giants like Amazon, Disney, PayPal, and Sony.
This marks the first time an artificial intelligence tool has achieved such a distinction on the HackerOne platform, which measures the impact and volume of reported security vulnerabilities.
What Makes Xbow a Game-Changer?
Xbow specializes in automated penetration testing, a process traditionally conducted by specialized human teams — known as red teams — and often costing companies around $18,000 per system. These tests are time-consuming, usually taking weeks to complete. Xbow aims to drastically cut both time and costs, allowing businesses to perform frequent and reliable security audits.
Xbow leverages machine learning models to simulate attacks and identify system weaknesses. To avoid false positives, HackerOne mandates that all AI-detected vulnerabilities be verified by a human before companies are notified. Once confirmed, Xbow earns reputation points based on the severity of the flaw, a system that rewards impactful discoveries.
Backed by Top Investors and Cybersecurity Veterans
The startup recently secured $75 million in funding from high-profile investors including Sequoia Capital and Altimeter Capital. The company is run by a team of industry veterans, including former GitHub and Semmle engineers like Nico Waisman (former CSO at Lyft) and Albert Ziegler, now leading AI development.
Xbow operates on both open bounty programs and invite-only engagements, offering flexibility and privacy for enterprise clients. Although the names of current clients remain undisclosed, de Moor confirms that leading financial and tech companies are already using the platform.
Why This Signals a Major Shift in Cybersecurity
The rise of Xbow signals a paradigm shift in ethical hacking, where AI is no longer just a tool but a powerful player in its own right. Founder Oege de Moor — a former Oxford professor and key figure behind GitHub Copilot — envisions a future where automated bots perform regular, scalable, and intelligent security testing.
This innovation could democratize penetration testing and improve software security across industries, especially as digital systems grow increasingly complex.
Conclusion: The Future of Cyber Defense Is Here
Xbow’s ascent to the top of HackerOne is not just a win for one company — it’s a milestone in AI-driven cybersecurity. As digital threats evolve, so too must our defenses. And with AI like Xbow leading the charge, organizations may soon gain the upper hand in the fight against vulnerabilities.
