Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist, is warning that tech companies are minimizing the perils artificial intelligence poses to humanity. In a new essay and an hourlong interview, he sounded the alarm regarding AI's risks to safety, security, jobs, and children's well-being.
Gates stated that his industry is downplaying these risks, which he believes include the potential for bioterrorism and mass unemployment. He urged for regulation and global coordination to prepare for the likely harms to employment, safety, and general well-being.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Gates noted that he believes we need time to prepare for the period of social, political, and economic upheaval we are about to enter.