Bill Gates warns of rising AI-driven cyberattacks

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has warned that the rapid development of artificial intelligence could lead to a significant increase in cyberattacks, fraud, and digital extortion within the next year. He emphasized that the primary immediate threat is not AI escaping human control, but rather powerful AI tools falling into the hands of criminals who may bypass safety restrictions to steal data, conduct blackmail, and disrupt financial or critical systems.

Beyond cybercrime, Gates identified several other major risks associated with accelerated AI development. These include job displacement due to automation, the proliferation of sophisticated deepfakes (including fake audio and video), and potential negative impacts on children's social skills and critical thinking. Gates stressed that security measures and legal regulations must evolve at the same pace as the technology to protect digital systems.