Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has issued a serious warning about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, saying the technology could become powerful enough to help bad actors cause catastrophic loss of life. Appearing on Meet the Press, Gates argued that AI could be used for harmful purposes, particularly when combined with malicious intent and advances in biological research. While he acknowledged the enormous benefits AI could bring to medicine, science, and the economy, he stressed that its rapid development also creates risks that governments and technology companies cannot afford to ignore. Gates said AI could potentially “drive events that cause a billion deaths,” describing the combination of powerful technology and people with harmful intentions as an unprecedented threat. His comments come amid growing debate within the technology industry over how quickly AI capabilities are advancing and whether existing safeguards are sufficient.

Gates also highlighted the difficulty of distinguishing legitimate scientific research from dangerous applications. He pointed to the possibility that AI could help researchers develop treatments for serious diseases while simultaneously making it easier for malicious actors to pursue biological weapons. For that reason, he called for lawmakers, politicians, and law-enforcement agencies to become more involved in establishing safeguards and monitoring systems. Gates argued that regulation does not necessarily have to halt technological progress, but that certain protections should be mandatory as AI becomes more capable. His warning follows similar concerns expressed by AI researchers and executives, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who has discussed both the enormous benefits and potentially severe risks of advanced AI. As governments and companies continue racing to develop increasingly sophisticated systems, Gates’ comments add to the growing call for stronger oversight before the technology becomes even more difficult to control.