AI Could Cause 'A Billion Deaths,' Bill Gates Warns

Bill Gates warned that artificial intelligence is powerful enough to contribute to events causing a billion deaths, comparing its potential danger to the deadliest weapons in history. He made the remarks in an interview airing Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press. Gates said the combination of ill-intentioned people using the latest AI tools poses an unprecedented threat, and he argued that self-regulation by AI companies is insufficient. He called for legislation and government oversight, saying law enforcement and politicians must establish safeguards and monitoring. His warning came as President Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at a White House summit where AI and semiconductor policy were central topics. Trump has resisted broad AI guardrails to maintain U.S. competitiveness, while other tech leaders, including Anthropic's Dario Amodei and OpenAI's Sam Altman, have also urged slower development and stronger safety measures.