Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that developing artificial intelligence without proper regulation, safeguards and independent monitoring would be “completely irresponsible.”
Speaking during an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Gates said AI has become powerful enough to potentially trigger events that could cause enormous loss of life.
“You need law enforcement and the politicians to get into the discussion of what safeguards and monitoring looks like,” Gates said.
The billionaire philanthropist said AI could potentially cause events resulting in up to a billion deaths if the technology is poorly managed. He added that preventing such a scenario could prove more difficult than addressing other major global threats, including the spread of nuclear weapons.
Gates also said he was prepared to speak directly with US President Donald Trump about the risks associated with AI. He disagreed with Trump’s recent description of warnings about AI dangers as a “hoax.”
Gates argued that introducing safeguards would not significantly slow the development of AI. He said monitoring systems could help identify whether AI is being used for activities such as cyberattacks or bioterrorism.
His comments come as several leaders of major AI companies have called for international rules and safeguards to ensure that the technology remains under human oversight.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently told the United Nations Security Council that poorly managed AI could pose a risk to humanity.
However, Trump and members of his administration have resisted imposing strict regulations on the AI industry, arguing that the United States is competing with China in technological development.
The Gates Foundation also announced earlier this month that it would commit $1 billion to expand access to AI in developing countries.
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