Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could fuel a rise in cyberattacks over the next year, urging governments and society to introduce stronger safeguards against the misuse of the rapidly advancing technology.
Gates raised the concern during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, where he described AI as “the most dangerous technology humans ever invented” and cautioned that insufficient restrictions could allow criminals to exploit increasingly powerful AI models.
According to the billionaire technology entrepreneur, malicious actors using AI without adequate safeguards pose a more immediate threat than the possibility of AI systems becoming uncontrollable.
“The front that we’ll probably see most dramatically in the next year is cyberattacks,” Gates said, predicting that cybercrime would be one of the areas where the harmful consequences of AI would become more pronounced.
He acknowledged that the potential for AI to operate beyond human control remains a concern but argued that its immediate dangers should receive greater attention.
“The real danger right now is not the AI’s getting out of control. We need to work on that, but that’s years away in terms of the big impact that might have,” he said.
Gates expressed particular concern about the ability of individuals with malicious intentions to use advanced AI systems after removing the safety measures designed to prevent harmful applications.
“It’s really bad people using AI, particularly in AI where you can take out all the safeguards,” he said.
He warned that combining powerful AI models with the removal of protective restrictions could create opportunities for cybercriminals and other dangerous actors to carry out sophisticated attacks.
“But right now, you’re allowed to take all those safeguards out. So when you have bad people, no safeguards, and then the latest models, that’s where, over the next year, primarily in the cyber area, we are going to have a lot of negative surprises,” Gates told CNN.
He also called for tighter restrictions to prevent the misuse of AI in cyberattacks and bioterrorism, warning that existing measures may not be sufficient to address the risks associated with the technology.
The remarks add to Gates’ previous warnings about the far-reaching consequences of artificial intelligence. In an extensive post published in August, he cautioned that the world was inadequately prepared for the disruption AI could cause, particularly in the labour market.
The technology has generated growing debate among policymakers, researchers and industry leaders over its potential to transform industries while creating new security challenges, including the automation of cybercrime and the development of tools capable of assisting malicious actors.
During Sunday’s interview, Gates also challenged the argument, associated with US President Donald Trump, that AI companies should primarily be responsible for regulating their own technology.
He maintained that relying solely on technology companies to establish and enforce safety standards would leave society without adequate protection against the potential dangers of AI.
“The idea that for the most dangerous technology humans ever invented, that that’s the final word, that just the companies themselves are the only check that society has…it’s clear we’re not doing enough,” Gates said.
His comments underscore growing concerns about whether voluntary safeguards adopted by AI developers can adequately address the risks posed by increasingly powerful systems, particularly when those protections can be bypassed or removed.
Gates’ warning highlights the need for stronger oversight and accountability as AI technology continues to advance, with cybersecurity emerging as one of the most immediate areas of concern.
