Bill Gates warns AI misuse could fuel surge in cyberattacks over next year

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that malicious use of artificial intelligence could lead to a significant increase in cyberattacks over the next year, arguing that governments and technology companies are not doing enough to manage emerging risks.

Gates made the comments during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, where he distinguished between long-term fears about AI systems escaping human control and the more immediate danger of criminals deliberately using powerful AI tools.

According to Gates, cybercrime is likely to be the area where harmful AI use becomes most visible in the near term.

He said attackers could use increasingly capable systems to improve extortion attempts, disrupt businesses or financial systems and exploit weaknesses faster than traditional cybercriminals.

Gates says malicious actors are immediate AI threat

Gates said his main short-term concern is not AI suddenly becoming autonomous and uncontrollable.

Instead, he warned about people gaining access to advanced models after removing built-in safety restrictions intended to stop harmful activities such as cyberattacks or assistance with biological threats.

He predicted that the combination of powerful models, malicious actors and weakened safeguards could produce what he described as numerous “negative surprises” in the cyber sector over the coming year.

Gates nevertheless acknowledged that AI offers major potential benefits in areas including healthcare and education.

His argument was that the technology’s capabilities are developing quickly enough to require stronger safety systems alongside those benefits.

Calls for stronger AI oversight

Gates also challenged the idea that AI companies should be solely responsible for policing themselves.

He compared AI with industries such as aviation, automobiles and pharmaceuticals, where governments have developed dedicated regulatory and safety systems.

The billionaire said he expects governments to become more sophisticated in regulating AI and predicted that specialised safety bodies could emerge as public understanding of the technology grows.

He also raised longer-term questions about AI’s effect on employment, including whether societies may eventually decide to preserve certain professions specifically for human workers.