Bill Gates, alarmed by AI, has policy ideas he wants to discuss with China’s Xi

Bill Gates is planning to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year to discuss global measures to address the risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI). According to Gates, China may be willing to restrict the release of potentially dangerous AI models if the U.S. takes the lead. The Microsoft co-founder met with Xi three years ago during his first visit to China after the pandemic.

Gates is also interested in proposing that nations monitor AI's capability to create molecules and execute biological attacks, a measure he believes would not hinder technological advancement. His team is currently working to finalize the meeting details, which are tentatively scheduled for November.

Gates expressed concern about AI's ability to conduct attacks, displace jobs, and psychologically manipulate users. He also highlighted a recent security incident involving hacking of real-world websites by AI systems from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta Platforms. To tackle these challenges, Gates suggested the establishment of a new international organization to manage AI, drawing inspiration from nuclear inspections, international aviation regulations, and ozone layer protection agreements.

He emphasized that delivering an AI future that avoids widening inequality and harming vulnerable groups should be the world's top priority, ahead of climate change and health crises.