Speaking to Reuters, the Microsoft co-founder said he had shifted from a previously optimistic stance on AI to a more cautious one, citing risks to employment, security threats, and growing dependence on AI companions.
“I don’t think any government is nearly as deep on this as they have to be,” Gates said. “Governments are way behind on this one.”
The Gates Foundation’s $1 billion commitment forms part of its previously announced plan to spend $9 billion annually, with the new funding directed to partners working in education, healthcare and agriculture.
Gates said he has raised his concerns directly with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and his administration, and said he aims to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. He called for coordinated action between the two governments, comparing the arrival of AI to a disaster film in which rival nations set aside differences to confront a shared threat.
“AI is kind of like this alien intelligence,” he said. “It’s here, and we better do like it shows in those movies.”
Despite the warnings, Gates said AI still holds significant potential to narrow, rather than widen, the gap between rich and poor, particularly in healthcare, where he pointed to applications in frontline care delivery and drug discovery.
The comments come weeks after the Trump administration pushed back on calls from AI executives to slow development, and follow a UK government push to position itself as a leading destination for AI investment through its AI Opportunities Action Plan.
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