Bill Gates calls for government oversight of AI, warns of catastrophic risks

Bill Gates called for government regulation and independent monitoring of artificial intelligence, warning that leaving safeguards to technology companies alone would be “completely irresponsible.”

In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” parts of which aired Sunday, the Microsoft co-founder said lawmakers and law enforcement agencies should help determine what safeguards and monitoring AI developers must adopt. Gates said compliance would add some overhead for the industry but would not dramatically slow its work.

Gates warned that AI in the hands of malicious actors was “certainly powerful enough to drive events that, you know, cause a billion deaths.” He described the combination of people with harmful intentions and advanced AI tools as an exceptionally powerful weapon, and said preventing catastrophic misuse could be more difficult than limiting nuclear proliferation.

The philanthropist also said he would be willing to discuss the issue directly with President Donald Trump. Gates rejected Trump’s characterization of warnings about AI dangers as a “hoax,” saying he hoped his experience in technology would add weight to concerns raised by others.

Trump said Saturday that he would not regulate the AI industry, which his administration views in the context of competition between the United States and China. Gates separately told CNN that the safeguards he favors would not cause a dramatic slowdown in AI development.