Bill Gates warns AI-powered cyberattacks pose imminent top threat

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warned on Sunday of a rise in artificial intelligence-powered cyberattacks over the coming year, describing them as the most imminent and serious threat.

In an interview with ABC News, Gates explained that unregulated AI poses a growing danger, noting that the immediate concern is that "bad actors" could exploit current systems lacking safeguards or protective measures.

Gates stressed that the real risk at present is not AI spiraling out of control, but rather the removal of controls and safeguards, which would allow those with malicious intent to misuse the latest models in unsafe ways.

He added that this could lead to many negative surprises, particularly in the field of cyberattacks in the coming year.

Gates joins a number of technology industry leaders who have warned about the growing threats posed by artificial intelligence technologies.

In a blog post published in August, he noted that the world is unprepared for the disruptions that AI could cause, especially in the job market.

In the same context, Gates rejected the idea that self-regulation by AI companies is sufficient to keep the world safe—a position advocated by US President Donald Trump—emphasizing that this approach does not go far enough to protect society.