Bill Gates Warns AI Could Cause Catastrophic Harm, Potentially Kill Billions

New Delhi: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has raised concerns about the potential dangers of increasingly powerful artificial intelligence, warning that AI could eventually become capable of causing catastrophic harm on an unprecedented scale.

Speaking ahead of an interview, Gates reportedly said that the risks associated with advanced AI should not be addressed through self-regulation by technology companies alone. He argued that governments and law-enforcement agencies should also play a role in establishing safeguards and monitoring systems.

Gates warned that as AI systems become more capable, they could potentially be used in ways that pose serious threats to humanity. In an extreme scenario, he said, the consequences could involve deaths on a massive scale, potentially reaching a billion people.

The Microsoft co-founder has previously advocated greater caution around the development of advanced AI and stronger mechanisms to ensure that increasingly capable systems are deployed safely.

His latest comments come amid a rapid expansion of generative AI, with technology companies investing heavily in increasingly sophisticated models capable of handling complex reasoning, coding, research and other tasks.

The debate over AI safety has intensified alongside these developments. While technology companies have introduced various safeguards and testing procedures, experts and policymakers continue to debate how much responsibility should rest with companies themselves and how much oversight should come from governments.

Gates' remarks highlight a broader concern within the technology community: the benefits of AI could be substantial, but ensuring adequate safeguards as the technology becomes more powerful remains a major challenge.