Bill Gates Warned of a Dangerous Scenario for the Development of AI
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warned that artificial intelligence could become such a powerful tool in the future that its use by people with malicious intent could lead to a huge number of casualties. He even described a scenario in which such actions could kill billions of people. At the same time, Gates is speaking specifically about a potential risk, not a guaranteed future.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has issued a new warning regarding the development of artificial intelligence. He believes that the power of modern technology could pose a serious threat if exploited by people with dangerous intentions. According to Gates, artificial intelligence is already becoming so powerful that in the future it could be used for actions with catastrophic consequences. “Artificial intelligence is certainly powerful enough to orchestrate events that, you know, cause a billion deaths,” he said.
Gates specifically highlighted the combination of AI capabilities and people who might use the technology for malicious purposes. “There has never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of people with malicious intent using the latest artificial intelligence tools,” said the Microsoft co-founder. For many years, Gates was considered one of the most prominent advocates of technological progress. Recently, however, he has increasingly spoken about the risks posed by the rapid development of AI.
Back in August, Gates published a memorandum on the future of artificial intelligence. In it, he called AI one of the most important technologies in human history. In his view, artificial intelligence can level the playing field for people in many areas. But at the same time, the technology could create new problems and exacerbate inequality. “At the current course and pace, there is a very high probability of a purely negative outcome,” Gates stated.
He also believes that governments should seek ways to regulate the development of AI. This involves establishing rules that prevent the technology from advancing faster than society can cope with its consequences. Gates has previously warned about risks to the labor market, cybersecurity, and biosecurity. Axios notes that Gates is calling for the creation of new mechanisms to regulate AI and an international system that could monitor the most dangerous technologies.
At the same time, Gates’ remarks about billions of potential victims are a scenario he uses to describe the potential danger, not a claim that such a catastrophe will inevitably occur. Gates spoke about this during an appearance on NBC, Axios reports.
The Cyprus-based publication Cyprus Mail published a Reuters article in which philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates stated that eradicating measles as a global public health threat is currently impossible due to growing vaccine hesitancy in wealthy countries.
