Gates warns of rising AI-enabled cyberattacks over the coming year

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates says malicious use of AI poses the most immediate threat and expects cyberattacks to intensify over the next 12 months.

In an Oct. 11 interview on CNN's State of the Union, Gates said he was primarily concerned about people using advanced models while bypassing safeguards. In his assessment, major consequences from AI itself escaping human control remain a more distant prospect.

He said cybercriminals already have ways to profit from attacks, including extortion and disruption intended to manipulate financial markets or betting. These were examples of potential misuse of the technology, rather than reports of specific new attacks.

Gates also argued that company self-regulation is insufficient and called for stronger government oversight. His warning was a forecast: he did not provide a numerical estimate of the expected increase in attacks during the interview.