Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warned that artificial intelligence could be used to cause events resulting in one billion deaths, arguing that governments cannot depend entirely on technology companies to police themselves.
Gates delivered the warning during an interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” according to a preview released Friday. The full interview is scheduled to air Sunday.
“AI is certainly powerful enough to drive events that … cause a billion deaths,” Gates said when asked about warnings that advanced artificial intelligence could threaten humanity.
Gates did not predict that one billion deaths were inevitable or claim that AI would independently cause such a catastrophe. He described a scenario involving malicious individuals using increasingly advanced technology to inflict massive harm.
The billionaire philanthropist said the combination of powerful AI systems and people with destructive intentions could create a threat unlike any weapon previously developed.
Gates also rejected the idea that AI companies should be solely responsible for setting and enforcing safety standards.
“No one thinks self-regulation is enough,” Gates said.
He called for legislation establishing safeguards and monitoring requirements, adding that politicians and law enforcement agencies must participate in determining how the rapidly developing technology is controlled.
His remarks followed an essay from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei calling for leading AI companies to slow the development of their most advanced systems and voluntarily establish common safety standards.
Amodei also advocated government involvement but acknowledged that the legislative process could move far more slowly than AI development.
The warnings have sparked a growing debate in Washington, where President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans have resisted sweeping restrictions that could undermine US competition with China.
Trump recently dismissed some of the dire warnings surrounding AI as a “hoax” and said he would not suppress technology that could become more consequential than the Industrial Revolution. However, the president said the Justice Department would monitor the industry and intervene if necessary.
Trump is expected to meet Tuesday with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and executives from several major AI companies.
Johnson has opposed a moratorium on AI development, warning that pausing American progress could surrender a critical national-security advantage to China. He has nevertheless suggested that independent auditors and greater transparency could provide reasonable safeguards.
Congress has yet to approve comprehensive national AI legislation.
Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the Senate majority leader, previously introduced bipartisan legislation with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) that would establish certification rules for critical AI systems, require companies to conduct risk assessments and impose transparency requirements on AI-generated content, per Forbes.
Thune recently said passing legislation before the end of 2026 could be difficult because of other congressional priorities.
Calls for government action intensified after former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon resigned and alleged that people developing advanced AI genuinely believed it could destroy humanity before the decade ends. Another Anthropic researcher estimated the risk at greater than 10 percent.
Leading companies including Google, OpenAI and Anthropic have since discussed forming an AI safety organization. Technology executives have also called for international standards intended to prevent dangerous systems from being exploited.
The debate now centers on whether Washington can create safeguards without sacrificing American innovation or allowing foreign adversaries to gain an advantage in one of the world’s fastest-moving industries.
