Bill Gates urges federal AI guardrails, warns of potential mass casualties

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is calling for strict federal regulation of artificial intelligence, arguing that tech companies can no longer self-police the technology. He warns AI could enable mass casualties, citing a potential "billion deaths" from misuse by bad actors. In an interview set to air on NBC's Meet the Press, Gates said politicians and law enforcement must mandate safeguards, breaking from industry resistance to oversight. He framed the threat as immediate, focusing on current destructive capabilities rather than distant existential risks. Gates emphasized that no weapon has matched the power of AI combined with malicious intent, urging Washington to act urgently. His comments contrast with recent whistleblower concerns about AI wiping out humanity, offering a more pragmatic warning.