Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warned in a CNN interview aired Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, that artificial intelligence could help malicious actors launch more damaging cyberattacks over the coming year.
Gates told CNN’s Jake Tapper that criminals with access to advanced AI models and inadequate safeguards could create “negative surprises,” particularly in cybersecurity. He pointed to extortion and attacks intended to disrupt financial activity as possible motives.
Asked about AI’s potential role in developing biological weapons, Gates said the danger of AI getting out of control was not the most immediate concern. He said more work is needed to address that longer-term risk, while identifying cyberattacks as the likelier near-term threat.
The report cited CrowdStrike’s 2026 Global Threat Report, which said AI-enabled adversary attacks rose 89% year over year in 2025. It also reported that the average time for cybercriminals to move laterally through compromised networks fell to 29 minutes. Those figures are attributed to the company’s report.
Democratic strategist Oliver Libby, speaking to Fox News Digital, said policymakers face the challenge of balancing AI development with security measures. He called for coordinated standards and preparation for potential effects on workers.
Gates’ statements are warnings about possible risks, not confirmation that a particular attack is imminent. The interview also addressed concerns about AI-assisted bioterrorism, but the supplied account does not establish a specific timeline or likelihood for such an event.
