Bill Gates Warns AI Could Drive Events Causing ‘a Billion Deaths’

Bill Gates warned in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “AI is certainly powerful enough to drive events that cause a billion deaths.” The Microsoft cofounder framed the concern around misuse, especially bad actors gaining access to advanced AI tools. His warning marks a sharper public focus on catastrophic risk and the need for practical safeguards.

Gates said the AI industry needs government regulation, saying law enforcement and politicians should be part of discussions about safeguards and monitoring. His position echoes Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who argued that the “most effective method of pacing is via regulation.” The debate is less about whether safeguards matter and more about who enforces them.

Business Insider reported that AI safety warnings have not persuaded Washington to pause or slow development. President Donald Trump mocked Amodei and has shown strong disinterest in regulating AI, though he pledged to create an “AI Force” to “watch over” AI companies. That leaves a widening gap between some AI safety advocates and policymakers wary of slowing the sector.

Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO and chairman, has appeared reluctant to call for broad regulation, saying AI companies should handle problems themselves. He said, “If you see a show-stopper, stop the show,” referring to anomalies in code that could produce rogue AI agents. Gates, now a technology advisor to Nadella and other Microsoft executives, has shifted from outspoken AI optimism toward support for more time and stronger preparation.