Bill Gates warns: Artificial intelligence could cause events that kill a billion people

He called for legislation to regulate the sector, emphasizing that self-regulation by companies is insufficient.

Bill Gates, the American billionaire and co-founder of Microsoft, called for government intervention to regulate artificial intelligence, stressing that relying solely on self-regulation by technology companies is not enough to address the potential risks posed by these technologies.

In excerpts from an interview with the “Meet the Press” program on NBC News, Gates stated that artificial intelligence has become powerful enough to cause events that could lead to the death of a billion people, warning of the widespread harm that could result from the use of its latest tools by individuals with malicious intent.

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When asked whether Washington needs legislation to regulate artificial intelligence, Gates answered affirmatively, emphasizing the need for law enforcement agencies and policymakers to participate in determining the safeguards and oversight mechanisms that should be imposed on the sector.

He affirmed that such safeguards and oversight should not be limited to voluntary measures taken by companies, noting that imposing binding rules may add some burdens to AI companies, but it would not significantly slow the pace of development.

Gates stressed that the potential risks of advanced technology require government participation in setting rules and controls, in parallel with the rapid ongoing advancement in the capabilities of artificial intelligence systems.