Bill Gates was once broadly optimistic about artificial intelligence. Now the Microsoft co-founder is sounding the alarm. In his latest warning, he says AI could be used to cause the deaths of billions of people around the world.
Gates’ Warning on Meet the Press
In a preview clip of an interview with Meet the Press, set to air later this weekend, Gates said he is worried that people with bad intentions could misuse AI.
“AI is certainly powerful enough to trigger events that cause billions of deaths,” Gates said, as quoted by Bloomberg on Monday, September 28, 2026.
He added: “There has never been a weapon with the power of people with bad intentions combined with the latest AI tools.”
His concern is less about AI acting on its own and more about what happens when powerful tools land in the wrong hands.
AI Researchers Echo the Concern
According to the report, Gates’ comments line up with warnings from people who work in AI research. Jacob Coxon, a former employee of both Anthropic and OpenAI, recently accused his former employers of gambling with humanity’s future by racing to build superintelligent AI.
Evan Hubinger, another Anthropic employee, reportedly believes there is at least a 10% chance that AI could wipe out humanity within the next decade.
Soon after, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for the pace of AI development to be slowed. The proposal was reportedly backed quickly by peers, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk. When rivals in a fiercely competitive industry voice support for slowing down, the conversation about AI safety takes on added weight.
Why Self-Regulation Isn’t Enough, According to Gates
Gates also said governments need to regulate the AI industry. In his view, AI companies policing themselves will not be enough.
“You need law enforcement and politicians to be involved in the discussion about what the safeguards and oversight look like. And that has to be a mandatory requirement,” Gates explained.
The comment reflects a broader debate about who should set the rules for a technology that is advancing faster than most laws. Gates is arguing that safety standards should be required by law, not left to voluntary company promises.
Not Gates’ First AI Warning
This is not the first time Gates has raised concerns about AI risks. In August, he wrote an essay warning that malicious actors could use AI for:
- Cyberattacks
- Fraud
- Disinformation campaigns
- Other large-scale attacks
Taken together, his recent statements show a shift in tone from a technology leader who has long championed AI’s potential.
What This Means for the AI Debate
Gates’ warning adds a well-known voice to a growing conversation about AI safety. Several points stand out from the report:
- The threat is human as well as technical. Gates stresses that the danger comes from bad actors using powerful tools, not only from AI systems themselves.
- Insiders are raising concerns. Current and former employees of leading AI labs have publicly voiced serious worries.
- Calls for a slowdown are gaining ground. Prominent industry figures reportedly backed the idea of slowing development.
- Regulation is central. Gates wants mandatory safeguards and oversight involving lawmakers and law enforcement.
These are statements and estimates from individuals, and predictions about AI risk vary widely among experts. Figures such as a 10% chance of human extinction within a decade are one person’s estimate, not an established scientific consensus. Even so, the fact that such views now come from within the industry, and from someone as influential as Gates, shows how seriously the topic is being taken.
The Bottom Line
Gates’ message is that the power of AI, combined with the intentions of those who use it, demands serious oversight. As AI tools become more capable, pressure is likely to grow on governments and companies to agree on enforceable safeguards. The full interview is set to air later this weekend, and it may add more detail to Gates’ position.
