Bill Gates considers cyberattacks the main current risk of AI: 'We will have many unpleasant surprises'

Bill Gates watches a tennis match in Australia. — Photo: Reuters

Bill Gates expressed this Sunday (11) his concern about a possible multiplication of cyberattacks based on artificial intelligence (AI), rather than the risk of this technology becoming "uncontrollable".

Microsoft's co-founder has warned in recent weeks that the world is not prepared for the consequences of AI.

"Cyberattacks will, without a doubt, be the most important challenge we face in the next year," said Gates in an interview with ABC News.

"The real danger right now is not artificial intelligence going out of control. We need to work on that, but that's still years away in terms of the big impact it could have," he said.

"It's really bad people using AI, especially in areas of AI where you can take away all the safeguards," he said, before adding that tighter restrictions are needed to prevent bad actors from using AI for bioterrorism and cyberattacks.

"During the next year, especially in the field of cybersecurity, we will have many unpleasant surprises," he warned.

In Gates' opinion, the current security systems installed by companies specializing in AI are not robust enough to face threats.

The billionaire argued that the change brought about by this technology must be managed through measures such as a tax on AI, the creation of an international body and the reservation of certain jobs exclusively for human beings.

Several industry executives have also recently highlighted the need to double down on AI vigilance.

In his statements to the ABC News channel, Gates also rejected the idea - defended by American President Donald Trump - that self-regulation by companies specializing in AI would be sufficient to guarantee global security.

"It's clear we're not doing enough," he declared.

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