Bill Gates Warns Governments ‘Way Behind’ on AI, Urges US-China Cooperation
Bill Gates has urged the US and China to jointly tackle AI risks, calling the technology an 'alien intelligence' and warning governments are 'way behind.' He flagged job losses, security threats and AI companion addiction, while the Gates Foundation plans USD 1 billion to expand AI access.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has called on the United States and China to work together to address the risks posed by artificial intelligence, warning that governments worldwide are falling behind as the technology develops at breakneck speed. In an interview with Reuters, Gates compared AI to an 'alien intelligence,' saying it is already here and that societies need to prepare for the sweeping changes it could bring.
Gates Says Governments Are 'Way Behind' On AI
Gates said he has been raising his concerns directly with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and his team, and that he is also looking forward to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. He said no government is currently 'nearly as deep' on the issue as it needs to be, adding that 'governments are way behind on this one' as AI systems grow more powerful. Donald Trump Calls AI Risks a ‘Hoax', Says There Is a ‘SICK Conspiracy’.
Job Losses, Security Threats And AI Companion Addiction Flagged
The Microsoft co-founder pointed to a range of growing risks tied to AI, including job losses, security threats, and concerns around people becoming dependent on AI companions. He said governments need to do far more to understand and manage the societal impact of increasingly capable AI systems, including the threat of AI-enabled attacks. DeepMind Researcher Bilal Chughtai Resigns, Warns AI ‘Has the Potential To Kill Us All’.
Gates Sees AI Narrowing Rich-Poor Gap If Managed Well
Despite the risks, Gates said AI could help narrow the gap between rich and poor nations if access to the technology is managed properly. He said the potential for AI in healthcare is hard to overstate, pointing to its promise across education, healthcare and agriculture in developing regions.
Gates Foundation To Spend USD 1 Billion On AI Access
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is planning to spend at least $1 billion over the next two years to expand access to AI, according to Reuters, with the funding supporting projects in education, healthcare and agriculture. The foundation also aims to help build data systems that make AI useful across different languages.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 15, 2026 11:16 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).