Bill Gates says unchecked AI could ‘cause a billion deaths’ in call for regulation

Bill Gates Calls for Government Regulation of AI Development

Bill Gates has urged U.S. federal legislators and law enforcement agencies to establish rules for artificial intelligence, stating in an interview broadcast on Sunday that unregulated AI could lead to large-scale harm. Speaking with NBC’s Kristen Welker on Meet the Press, Gates said safeguards and monitoring must be mandated rather than left to voluntary measures.

“You need law enforcement and the politicians to get into the discussion about what safeguards and monitoring look like,” Gates said. “And that has to be a required thing.” He described the added requirements as modest operational costs for companies, adding that regulation “will be a little bit of overhead for the industry – but not a dramatic slowing of what they’re doing.”

Gates also warned that AI tools combined with malicious intent could produce severe outcomes. “There’s never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of people with ill intent using the latest AI tools,” he said, noting the technology “would be certainly powerful enough to drive events that, you know, cause a billion deaths.”

The interview followed a nearly 6,000-word essay Gates published in late August that examined potential large-scale risks associated with advanced AI systems. Gates has previously expressed general optimism about technological progress and human development.

Other technology executives have made similar calls for slower or more controlled AI advancement. OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman and Elon Musk have both advocated for pauses or stricter oversight in AI development, citing concerns that include the possible use of AI in bioweapons or nuclear command systems.

Microsoft, the company Gates co-founded, has faced internal and external questions about its AI products. Some employees and outside groups have pressed the company to end contracts involving certain government uses of its Azure platform, including applications in military operations and immigration enforcement. Microsoft has stated that its tools are provided under standard commercial terms and that it reviews compliance with applicable laws.

In the same interview, Welker asked Gates whether he avoids using AI in any personal or professional settings. Gates replied that he does not consult AI for personal relationships or social feedback. “I’m not using it for my personal relationships,” he said with a laugh. “I’m not like: ‘Hey, do you like me? Hey, am I a nice guy?’ So I just never went down that path, because I’m lucky in terms of my family, friends and everything. I don’t socialize with the AI. It knows I’m a very serious person.”

The discussion occurred as lawmakers in several countries continue to consider legislation addressing AI safety, data security, and liability standards. No specific U.S. federal AI regulatory framework has been enacted as of the interview date.