Bill Gates warned that artificial intelligence will fuel a surge in cyberattacks next year, predicting "many unpleasant surprises" in cybersecurity during 2027.
Speaking to CNN and ABC News, the Microsoft co-founder said cyberattacks represent the area where negative consequences of increasingly powerful AI models will emerge most rapidly. "The front that we'll probably see most dramatically in the next year is cyberattacks," Gates said.
Gates explained that existing business models already enable attackers to extort victims by demanding ransom payments or causing disruptions that can affect financial markets. He emphasized that the immediate threat stems from malicious actors deploying advanced AI systems without restrictions rather than from AI systems spiraling beyond human control.
"When you have bad people, lack of safeguards, and the latest AI models, we'll primarily see many unpleasant surprises in cyberspace next year," Gates said. He stressed that the risk of AI "getting out of control" remains years away from having major impact, but current dangers demand urgent attention.
Gates noted that unregulated artificial intelligence poses a growing threat as capabilities advance. He called for work on long-term AI safety concerns while prioritizing immediate defenses against malicious use of existing systems. The Microsoft co-founder did not identify specific sectors or institutions most vulnerable to the predicted attacks, but referenced the potential for market-wide disruptions through coordinated cyber operations.