AI Could Cause 1bn Deaths If Misused, Warns Bill Gates

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has issued a stark warning regarding the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, stating that unchecked technology could result in over a billion deaths if fallen into the wrong hands.

Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Gates argued that the combination of bad actors and advanced AI tools poses an unprecedented threat, particularly in the creation of biological weapons and synthetic diseases.

He stressed that it remains extremely difficult to distinguish between beneficial research—such as drug discovery—and malicious intent, including the development of tools for bioterrorism.

His warning comes amid heightened global concern over AI safety, following recent disclosures regarding advanced hacking capabilities, calls for strict regulatory oversight, and legislative proposals to curb artificial superintelligence.