Bill Gates warns AI could cause a billion deaths

Bill Gates warns that artificial intelligence could drive events causing "a billion deaths," calling it the most dangerous weapon ever created when combined with malicious intent, according to excerpts from an upcoming "Meet the Press" interview. In comments released Friday, Gates tells host Kristen Welker that AI is "certainly powerful enough" to cause such catastrophic harm, adding that humanity has never faced a weapon as dangerous as AI in the hands of those who mean harm. The full interview airs Sunday. Gates has escalated his warnings recently, publishing an August memo describing AI as potentially "the greatest equalizer ever invented, or the worst source of injustice," and now urges governments to cooperate urgently, saying there is currently no plan to ease the transition into the AI era.