Bill Gates warns of AI-powered cyberattacks within a year

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 00:24 · Archive

Bill Gates warned that artificial intelligence could fuel cyberattacks within a year, with criminals exploiting unsafeguarded AI models.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warned that artificial intelligence could fuel a wave of cyberattacks over the next year, with malicious actors gaining access to increasingly powerful AI models without adequate safeguards. During a CNN interview, Gates said criminals could exploit this technology to disrupt financial systems, extort businesses and carry out increasingly sophisticated attacks. '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,' he said.

Cybersecurity researchers have reported a sharp increase in AI-enabled threats. According to CrowdStrike's 2026 Global Threat Report, attacks by AI-enabled adversaries increased 89 per cent year on year in 2025. The average time for cybercriminals to move laterally through compromised networks fell to 29 minutes.

Gates also warned that artificial intelligence could make it easier for terrorists to develop deadly biological weapons, assessing that the risk of a bioterrorist attack could become 50 times greater than that of a natural pandemic. When asked if governments were doing enough to prevent such threats, Gates said: 'Well, no, we're not doing enough.'

How it is being reported

• Bill Gates sounds the alarm over AI's grim path ahead if it gets in the wrong hands: 'We're not doing enough'Bill Gates has sounded the alarm over AI's 'grim' future should the rapidly-evolving technology wind up in the wrong hands.Daily Mail · 12 Oct, 00:48
• Bill Gates issues warning on ‘bad people’ exploiting a lack of AI safeguards to commit cyberattacksMicrosoft co-founder Bill Gates warned Sunday that artificial intelligence could fuel a wave of cyberattacks over the next year.New York Post · 12 Oct, 00:16
• Bill Gates sounds alarm on AI-powered cyberattacks, warns of 'negative surprises' within a yearBill Gates warned that AI-powered cyberattacks could disrupt financial systems and fuel extortion schemes, with criminals exploiting unsafeguarded models.Fox News · 11 Oct, 19:51

In this story: Bill Gates · Microsoft · CNN · CrowdStrike · United States

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