Bill Gates has delivered a stark warning about artificial intelligence, arguing that governments and technology leaders are still falling short when it comes to preventing advanced AI systems from being exploited by dangerous individuals.
Speaking to CNN on Sunday about growing concerns over AI safety, the Microsoft co-founder said society must find a practical balance between encouraging innovation and controlling the technology’s most serious risks. That balance, he acknowledged, has not yet been reached.
“Just as we regulate planes, cars, and medicines, we need safeguards that help us realize AI’s incredible potential while reducing the risks,” Gates wrote on X.
He added that regulation would not prevent every possible harm, but could make it harder for bad actors to misuse AI. “We’re not where we need to be yet—and this deserves much more of our attention,” Gates said.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper opened the interview by recalling Gates’ earlier warning that artificial intelligence could make it far easier for malicious groups to develop deadly biological weapons.
Tapper also referred to Gates’ claim that the risk of a bioterrorist attack could now be 50 times greater than the threat of a naturally occurring pandemic. He asked how soon such a nightmare could become possible and whether world leaders were doing enough to prevent it.
“No, we’re not doing enough,” Gates replied. He said the most immediate and visible threat from AI over the coming year would likely involve cyberattacks.
Gates said fears that AI will suddenly become completely uncontrollable are important, but argued that the largest consequences of that scenario remain years away. In the near term, he believes the greater danger is malicious people using powerful AI tools without adequate safeguards.
CNN’s Jake Tapper recalled Bill Gates’ warning that AI could make it far easier for bad actors to develop deadly bioweapons, prompting Gates to say that society is “not doing enough.”
Gates said the world needs to establish a “middle ground” for regulating rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, but has yet to find the right approach.
‘More Dangerous Than Nuclear Weapons’
“It’s really bad people using AI—particularly when they can remove all the safeguards,” Gates said. He warned that the combination of malicious actors, unrestricted access and the latest AI models could lead to “a lot of negative surprises” over the next year.
Tapper then questioned whether Gates was drifting toward “doomerism,” pointing to his previous description of AI as potentially the most dangerous technology ever—one that could make nuclear weapons appear insignificant.
Gates rejected that characterization, saying prominent figures in the AI industry, including OpenAI chief Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, have also publicly warned that the technology presents serious risks.
While acknowledging that some of the most dramatic AI fears may be less likely than other scenarios, Gates said the technology is still more dangerous than cars, planes or medicines—industries that already operate under extensive safety regulations.
“There are some grim possibilities if we don’t maintain control,” Gates said, adding that AI companies are right to raise the alarm about what could happen if the technology develops without sufficient oversight.
At the same time, he argued that careful regulation could reduce many of the dangers. Gates said public debate is often pulled toward two extremes: removing safeguards altogether or attempting to halt AI development completely.
He said the goal should instead be a workable framework similar to the systems used to regulate transportation and pharmaceuticals. Although current AI oversight lacks sophistication, Gates remains convinced that a sensible middle path is possible.
Gates’ latest comments add to a growing list of warnings from AI researchers, executives and other technology leaders, as increasingly advanced systems appear capable of tasks once thought to be beyond machines.
Gates has warned that AI could make it dangerously difficult to distinguish between scientists developing lifesaving medicines and bad actors attempting to create biological weapons.
Gates Warns Unchecked AI Could Cause ‘a Billion Deaths’
In an earlier essay, Gates argued that AI development had already moved beyond the initial warning stage and was advancing at an “uncontrolled” pace.
‘AI will either be the greatest equalizer ever invented, or the worst source of injustice,’ he said. ‘Even under the best circumstances, the transition to this new AI era will be one of the most turbulent times in human history.’
Then just days ago, Gates appeared on NBC and called for greater government oversight of the emerging tech, while sharing that it could cause ‘a billion deaths.’
‘AI is certainly powerful enough to drive events that cause a billion deaths,’ Gates told journalist Kristen Welker, before adding, ‘So even though it’s pretty hard to get to 100 percent [of humanity], there’s never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of people with ill intent using the latest AI tools.’
Gates also appeared to offer up some potential solutions when asked by Welker, ‘What would prevent tragedies from happening due to AI specifically?’
He warned that artificial intelligence could make it dangerously difficult to distinguish between scientists developing lifesaving medicines and bad actors seeking to create biological weapons.
‘I wish it was easier to distinguish good intent, like “I want to design a new drug for a disease,” versus negative intent, which is “I want to design a tool of bioterrorism,”‘ Gates told Welker.
He also argued that the potential risks make strict oversight of advanced AI systems essential, calling on the United States to take the lead in establishing safeguards.
Gates appeared on NBC and called for greater government oversight of the emerging tech, while sharing that it could cause ‘a billion deaths’.
Whoever Wins AI Wins
‘Because those are so close, we do need to monitor any sophisticated model and record exactly what’s being done,’ he said.
Gates suggested that China would pursue similar measures but emphasized that the US should establish clear standards for the industry.
‘You’ll hear from the industry, it’s a very doable thing. It would not slow them down dramatically,’ he said.
He also drew a distinction between implementing safeguards and the broader debate over whether AI development itself should be slowed.
‘It’s completely irresponsible not to require every AI to have these safeguards and monitoring capabilities,’ he stated, before adding ‘it only is a question of do you do it now?,’ Gates explained.
Donald Trump denied the idea that AI advances will mean the end of the human race when asked about it by reporters earlier this month, noting that those were ‘things that won’t happen.’
‘We’re leading China in AI. We’re the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins,’ the President told reporters at his golf course in Doonbeg while attending the Irish Open earlier this month.
House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson has also chimed in on the issue as well, noting in a CNN interview earlier in September: ‘We cannot put a moratorium on this because China will overlap us.’
Donald Trump denied the idea that AI advances will mean the end of the human race when asked about it by reporters earlier this month, noting that those were ‘things that won’t happen’
Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon resigned and accused the company and its rival OpenAI of not doing enough to address the potential dangers of the technology earlier this month.
Democrats Push for AI Regulation Following Explosive ‘Kill All Humans’
Democrats, however, seem more keen to regulate the emerging technologies.
Barack Obama shared his thoughts on the matter at a recent private gathering, first covered by the New York Times.
‘This is something that is moving very fast in private hands, and if we don’t get on top of it, I think [it] can be dangerous,’ the newspaper claimed the former president stated at an event this month. Obama, who believes that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will be the next Speaker after the November elections, also urged the top Democrat to act.
This comes after Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon sensationally resigned from his position and accused the company and its rival OpenAI of not doing enough to address the potential dangers of the technology earlier this month.
Coxon warned that researchers working in the field believe AI could potentially ‘kill all humans’ by the end of the decade.
Days later, an Anthropic report said that it has stopped several potential plots to build biological weapons using its artificial intelligence this year.
The company determined that scientists were using its platforms to conduct research that could be used to develop biological weapons, according to the company’s new AI misuse report that was obtained by The New York Times.
Anthropic was unable to determine if the research ‘served a legitimate or nefarious purpose,’ the report said. The firm noted that valid biological inquiry can result in scientific breakthroughs like vaccines, but the company erred on the side of caution because that same research could also be used to create dangerous pathogens.
