Bill Gates sounds alarm on AI-powered cyberattacks, warns of 'negative surprises' within a year

What happened: Bill Gates warned that AI could fuel a wave of cyberattacks over the next year, saying malicious actors are gaining access to powerful AI models without adequate safeguards. Key numbers: CrowdStrike's 2026 Global Threat Report: AI-enabled attacks rose 89% year over year in 2025; average lateral movement time fell to 29 minutes. Why it matters: Gates said the cyber area will bring "a lot of negative surprises" within a year, citing extortion and market disruption business models. Strategist Oliver Libby called for coordinated regulation balancing AI progress and security.

Bill Gates warned that AI could fuel a wave of cyberattacks over the next year, saying malicious actors are gaining access to powerful AI models without adequate safeguards.

Gates said the cyber area will bring "a lot of negative surprises" within a year, citing extortion and market disruption business models. Strategist Oliver Libby called for coordinated regulation balancing AI progress and security.