In a nationally televised interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Microsoft co‑founder Bill Gates sounded the alarm that artificial‑intelligence (AI) technology is becoming a powerful weapon for cybercriminals. Gates warned that, within the next twelve months, the lack of safeguards around advanced AI models could lead to a dramatic rise in malicious cyber activity.
AI‑enabled threats already on the rise
Gates cited recent findings from CrowdStrike’s 2026 Global Threat Report, which show AI‑enabled attacks jumped 89% year‑over‑year in 2025. The same report noted that cyber‑actors now move laterally through compromised networks in an average of just 29 minutes, a speed that makes detection and response far more difficult.
Potential financial and biological dangers
According to Gates, criminals are likely to exploit AI to disrupt financial systems, extort businesses, and manipulate markets. He described a “known business model” in which attackers threaten to cause a disruption unless paid, or they create chaos that influences stock prices or betting outcomes.
Tapper also pressed Gates on the possibility that AI could aid terrorists in developing deadly biological weapons. Gates acknowledged the risk, estimating that a bioterrorist attack could become up to 50 times more likely than a natural pandemic if AI tools are misused.
Calls for smart regulation
Democratic strategist Oliver Libby, speaking to Fox News Digital, echoed the need for balanced policy. He said the greatest challenge for innovators and government leaders is to foster AI progress while implementing “smart regulation” that protects Americans without stifling innovation. Libby emphasized that regulation should focus on federal and international standards, platform responsibility, penalties for cyber‑crime and deep‑fake misuse, child safety, and preparation for workforce disruption.
Gates agreed that the United States must act now. “We’re not doing enough,” he told Tapper. While he noted that the most catastrophic AI scenarios are years away, he stressed that immediate steps are required to secure AI development pipelines, enforce robust safeguards, and strengthen cyber‑defense capabilities.
What this means for Americans
The warning comes at a time when the Trump administration is prioritizing national security and technological competitiveness. Administration officials have repeatedly highlighted the importance of protecting critical infrastructure from emerging threats, and Gates’s comments reinforce the urgency of those efforts.
For businesses and individuals, the message is clear: stay vigilant, invest in strong cybersecurity measures, and support policies that promote responsible AI development. As AI continues to evolve, the partnership between the private sector, government, and the public will be essential to prevent the predicted “negative surprises” from becoming reality.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
