Bill Gates warns AI is powerful enough to cause "a billion deaths"

Bill Gates, one of technology's leading optimists, warned on this weekend's Meet the Press that AI has the potential to wipe out humanity. This comes as technology leaders and the government grapple with concerns about AI's doomsday potential. Speaking to Kristen Welker, Gates told her, "Even though it's pretty hard to get to 100%, there's never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of people with ill intent using the latest AI tools."

Gates has released a memo in August defining AI as a technology more consequential than any other in history. He argued that AI could either be the greatest equalizer ever invented or the worst source of injustice. According to Gates, with the current trajectory and speed of AI development, there's a very high chance of a net negative outcome. He emphasized that government and political parties need to collaborate now to prevent AI from spiraling out of control.