WASHINGTON, D.C. — Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has warned that increasingly powerful artificial intelligence could pose serious risks if advanced AI tools fall into the hands of people with harmful intentions.
Speaking in an interview with NBC News anchor Kristen Welker, Gates said AI could potentially contribute to events resulting in extremely large numbers of deaths.
“AI is certainly powerful enough to drive events that cause a billion deaths,” Gates said, while acknowledging the difficulty of such a scenario occurring.
He also warned that the combination of powerful AI systems and individuals with malicious intentions could create unprecedented risks.
Gates’ comments come amid growing international debate over AI safety, regulation and safeguards as governments and technology companies develop increasingly capable systems.
The warning has renewed questions about how AI should be governed while preserving its potential benefits in areas such as healthcare, education, science and economic development.
