Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warned in a Sunday interview with CNN that malicious actors could exploit advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models to trigger a wave of cyberattacks within the next year, describing the potential for "a lot of negative surprises" in cybersecurity. Gates emphasized that the absence of adequate safeguards for the latest AI models could enable bad actors to disrupt financial systems, extort businesses, and carry out increasingly sophisticated attacks.
Gates made the remarks during an interview with CNN’s State of the Union host Jake Tapper, where he stated that the most immediate threat posed by unregulated AI is not its potential to "get out of control" but rather its misuse by individuals or groups with harmful intent. "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 said.
Cybersecurity risks take center stage
Gates identified cyberattacks as the most pressing concern, noting that criminals could leverage AI to threaten financial stability or manipulate markets. He also acknowledged that while AI could eventually pose broader risks—such as enabling bioterrorism—these threats remain further down the line. "The real danger right now is not that AI’s getting out of control," Gates said. "We need to work on that, but that’s years away in terms of the big impact that might have."
In response to Tapper’s question about whether world leaders are doing enough to prevent a bioterrorist attack facilitated by AI, Gates replied, "Well, no, we’re not doing enough."
Calls for regulation and oversight
Gates compared the need for AI regulation to existing frameworks for planes, cars, and medicines, arguing that safeguards could help realize AI’s potential while reducing misuse. "Just as we regulate planes, cars, and medicines, we need safeguards that help us realize AI’s incredible potential while reducing the risks," he wrote in a follow-up post on X. "They won’t eliminate every harm, but they can help prevent misuse by bad actors."
Gates’ warnings align with growing concerns from other AI leaders, including Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, who have both called for slower AI development to allow safety measures to catch up. Amodei penned a September 12 letter advocating for a pause in AI advancements to address oversight gaps.
Industry response and rising threats
Cybersecurity researchers have reported a sharp increase in AI-enabled threats. According to CrowdStrike’s 2026 Global Threat Report, attacks by AI-powered adversaries rose 89% year over year in 2025, with suspected Chinese-speaking hackers using AI tools to target South Korean financial institutions. The report also noted that cybercriminals are leveraging AI to accelerate lateral movement within compromised networks, reducing the time between initial breach and full exploitation.
Balancing innovation and safety
The warnings come as policymakers and industry leaders grapple with how to balance AI innovation with regulatory measures. Oliver Libby, a Democratic strategist, told Fox News Digital that Gates’ concerns underscore the challenge of maintaining U.S. technological competitiveness while ensuring public safety. "The great challenge both for innovators and governments in the coming months is to balance continued progress in AI with smart regulation," Libby said. "Leaders who can balance ensuring that America is not left behind, but that no American is left out, will win public trust."
Gates’ remarks reflect a broader debate within the tech and policy communities about the urgency of AI regulation. While some experts advocate for immediate action to mitigate risks, others argue that overly restrictive measures could stifle innovation and hinder the U.S. in global AI competition.