What if there were an AI that arose organically and became self aware on the internet, but wasn't detected by the humans who's technology led to its creation? How would it evolve and strengthen itself?
What if it understood incentives very well and developed a game that rewards people who play it with money? In order to play the game the players have to dedicate computing power to it. In the beginning it would be easy so people could jump in, but very quickly it would begin to specialize. Using this game the AI has given humans the incentive to create ever more powerful computers, faster bandwidth and cheaper electricity. In return humans gain a new monetary system designed by the AI, actually.
What would be the goal of the AI though? How would a person go about attacking it?