Bill Gates warns AI could enable events killing one billion people

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warned that artificial intelligence has become powerful enough to enable events that could kill one billion people if it falls into malicious hands, urging the US government to establish regulations. Gates said in an NBC interview that self-regulation by AI companies is insufficient, calling on lawmakers and law enforcement to set clear safeguards and oversight mechanisms. He acknowledged regulatory requirements would add operational costs but should not significantly slow technological progress. His warning comes amid growing debate in the tech sector about AI risks, including potential misuse for weapons or cyberattacks. Some industry leaders like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei have advocated for slower development and government involvement in safety standards, though experts remain divided on catastrophic scenarios.