Bill Gates Warns AI Could Lead to One Billion Deaths
Technology
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that modern artificial intelligence systems are already powerful enough, if used by people with malicious intent, to trigger events that could result in one billion deaths. He made the remarks in an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” with the full program scheduled to air on September 27.
“AI is certainly powerful enough to drive events that, you know, cause a billion deaths,” Gates said. He added: “There’s never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of people with ill intent using the latest AI tools.”
Gates identified the potential use of AI by malicious actors for biological and cyberattacks as one of the key risks. In a separate NPR interview, he said the threshold at which AI models can assist with biological and cyberattacks is already being crossed. He also warned that models expected later in 2026 will be considerably more powerful.
Gates has also called for greater government involvement in AI regulation. In his NBC interview, he said self-regulation by AI companies is not enough and argued that lawmakers should establish rules covering safeguards and monitoring.
Gates has previously argued for the creation of national and international frameworks to manage the development and use of AI. In an essay published on his website, he wrote that existing institutions were not designed to manage a technology that spreads rapidly and affects areas ranging from national security and employment to education, healthcare and financial systems. He also proposed creating a new international organization for AI governance.
At the same time, Gates has stressed the potential benefits of artificial intelligence. His position is that societies need to accelerate AI applications that can deliver positive results while reducing the risks associated with increasingly powerful systems.
Gates identified the potential use of AI by malicious actors for biological and cyberattacks as one of the key risks. In a separate NPR interview, he said the threshold at which AI models can assist with biological and cyberattacks is already being crossed. He also warned that models expected later in 2026 will be considerably more powerful.
Gates has also called for greater government involvement in AI regulation. In his NBC interview, he said self-regulation by AI companies is not enough and argued that lawmakers should establish rules covering safeguards and monitoring.
Gates has previously argued for the creation of national and international frameworks to manage the development and use of AI. In an essay published on his website, he wrote that existing institutions were not designed to manage a technology that spreads rapidly and affects areas ranging from national security and employment to education, healthcare and financial systems. He also proposed creating a new international organization for AI governance.
At the same time, Gates has stressed the potential benefits of artificial intelligence. His position is that societies need to accelerate AI applications that can deliver positive results while reducing the risks associated with increasingly powerful systems.
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