by EMMA KOPPELMAN | The National News Desk

GettyImages-1678320043.jpg
GettyImages-2233756389.jpg
GettyImages-2295551796.jpg
GettyImages-1676403009.jpg

(TNND) — Artificial intelligence is now powerful enough to cause catastrophic harm, Bill Gates warned, saying malicious actors could use advanced AI tools to drive events that result in “a billion deaths.”

Gates said voluntary safeguards by AI companies are not sufficient and called for government regulation, law enforcement involvement, and political oversight. His comments were released in a preview of an interview set to air Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 12: Mobile billboard is seen near the U.S. Capitol on September 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Eko, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Climate Action Against Disinformation, and Kairos Action have a mobile billboard circling the U.S. Capitol during congressional hearings and forums on artificial intelligence (AI) to highlight the new technology’s dangers to climate change. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Friends of the Earth)

Gates said AI is unlike any previous weapon because of the potential combination of powerful technology and people with harmful intent. The warning comes amid a broader debate over whether frontier AI development should slow while safety measures catch up.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has also called for stronger standards and government involvement in AI safety.

President Donald Trump has publicly pushed back on additional AI guardrails, while congressional leaders have not yet advanced major federal AI legislation. Gates’ comments come ahead of a planned meeting between Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and AI executives, though the agenda has not been announced.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 01: U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) gives closing remarks during the Hill and Valley Forum on AI Security on May 01, 2024 in Washington, DC. The Hill and Valley Forum is a private bipartisan community of lawmakers and innovators aimed at investigating new technology as it pertains to national security challenges. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)