Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has urged US lawmakers and law enforcement agencies to introduce regulations around artificial intelligence, warning that the technology could have devastating consequences if its development is left unchecked.
Gates made the call in an interview with Kristen Welker, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, which is scheduled to air on Sunday.
He said governments should be directly involved in determining the safeguards and monitoring systems required as AI continues to advance.
“You need law enforcement and the politicians to get into the discussion about what safeguards and monitoring look like,” the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist said to Kristen Welker, the NBC Meet the Press host. “And that has to be a required thing.”
Gates acknowledged that regulation would create additional costs for technology companies but argued that such requirements would not significantly interfere with the industry’s progress.
“It will be a little bit of overhead for the industry – but not a dramatic slowing of what they’re doing.”
In another part of the interview, excerpts of which NBC released ahead of the broadcast, Gates warned that AI could become powerful enough to cause mass casualties if placed in the hands of people with harmful intentions.
“It will be a little bit of overhead for the industry – but not a dramatic slowing of what they’re doing.”
Gates also warned about the possibility of AI being misused to trigger catastrophic events.
“There’s never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of people with ill intent using the latest AI tools,” Gates added.
He was also asked about the idea of creating a “kill switch” that could be activated to shut down AI systems if they became too powerful.
Gates dismissed the idea as insufficient, arguing that the current stage of AI development does not yet involve systems capable of independently taking control of computers and resisting attempts to shut them down.
“It’s not enough to have a kill switch,” Gates remarked. “We’re not yet at the point where … they autonomously grab computers and, you know, can’t be shut down. So that discussion … just sort of shows how non-technical various people are.”
Gates’ comments come shortly after he published a lengthy essay in late August in which he examined AI’s potential benefits as well as the risks it could pose to humanity.
Other prominent technology figures, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Tesla chief Elon Musk, have also expressed concerns about the rapid development of increasingly powerful AI systems. Some experts have warned that advanced AI could potentially contribute to catastrophic outcomes through areas such as biological weapons and nuclear warfare.
On September 23, US Senator Bernie Sanders proposed legislation seeking a temporary pause on the development of advanced AI while stronger safeguards are established.
Microsoft, meanwhile, has faced criticism over its involvement in AI systems used in military and immigration operations.
Employees and activists have campaigned for the company to end its ties with the Israeli military, with allegations that AI tools have been used in military operations in Gaza and Iran.
An essay by Mohamed Hussein and Granate Kim of the No Azure for Apartheid group also accused the US Department of Homeland Security of using AI systems, including Microsoft’s Azure, in immigration enforcement operations.
The interview also marked one of Gates’ first major public appearances since an external review into his foundation’s past dealings with Jeffrey Epstein.
The review, commissioned by the Gates Foundation and released in July, found that Gates was among foundation staff and leaders who collectively held about 30 meetings with Epstein between 2011 and 2014.
Gates has not been accused of participating in Epstein’s crimes. He has previously said he regretted “every minute” he spent with the convicted sex offender. He remains chairman of the Gates Foundation.
During the interview, Welker also asked Gates whether there were situations in which he deliberately avoided using AI, particularly in his personal life.
Gates responded with humour, saying he had not turned to AI for advice about his personal relationships.
“Well, I’m not using it for my personal relationships. 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.”
