dannybuntu on Nostr: Yes, HackerOne bug bounty payouts have increased since the widespread adoption of ...

Yes, HackerOne bug bounty payouts have increased since the widespread adoption of LLMs, but the data reveals a nuanced story. It's not just that "LLM bugs pay more"—rather, the volume of payouts has exploded, and a new tiered economy has emerged between "AI Security" and "AI Safety."

Here is the breakdown based on HackerOne’s most recent reports (covering late 2023 through 2025).

1. The "LLM Boom" in Payouts
The introduction of Generative AI has created a massive new attack surface, leading to a sharp rise in money changing hands.

Total AI Payouts Exploded: According to the 2025 Hacker-Powered Security Report, total rewards paid out specifically for valid AI reports increased by 339% year-over-year.

Volume of Reports: Valid AI vulnerability reports surged by 210%, with "prompt injection" attacks specifically rising by 540%.

Program Growth: The number of bug bounty programs that explicitly include AI assets in their scope grew by 270%.