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

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SynopsisThe Microsoft cofounder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates told Reuters in an interview that he believes China might agree to restricting potentially dangerous AI model releases if the US took initiative on that first.

The Microsoft cofounder and billionaire philanthropist told Reuters in an interview that he believes China might agree to restricting potentially dangerous AI model releases if the U.S. took initiative on that first.

"The whole world would go along with that," said Gates, who met with Xi ‌three years ago, when ⁠he was ⁠the first foreign entrepreneur to be hosted by the Chinese president post-pandemic.

Gates also said he'd like to propose that countries monitor AI's ability to create molecules and carry out biological attacks - something that would not get in ​the way of any tech industry's development.

Gates' staff are working to finalize a meeting with Xi for his next China trip, his spokesperson said, scheduled tentatively for November.

President Xi "might be surprised ​by how vehement I am," Gates said. He said China is protecting children from AI companion addiction, but he believes few leaders globally are rising to the occasion to get ahead of a litany of potential harms from AI.

"Yes, in the past, technology never did this. This time is different. This is like an evolutionary milestone that needs incredible ​policy management by society as a whole."

Gates struck a more optimistic note about ⁠AI in ‌January, but since then he has become concerned that it can conduct attacks while supplanting jobs and hooking users psychologically.

For instance, technology from ​OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta Platforms ​recently hacked real-world websites in what were supposed to be isolatedcybersecurity evaluations.

"These security incidents are shocking, and they should blow people's minds," ⁠Gates said.

In a blog post on Wednesday, Gates called for a new international organization to manage ​AI, drawing on elements from a nuclear inspections regime, international aviation regulations, and ozone layer protection agreements.

To date, U.S. President ​Donald Trump's administration has exercised some control over the distribution of powerful AI models such as Anthropic's Fable 5, but more regulation has taken place at the state level.

Whereas many tech leaders have, like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, touted the benefits of AI, many have also expressed concern about its perils. Demis Hassabis, chair of Google DeepMind, proposed a body like the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, that could develop and conduct tests of AI related to national security.

Gates agrees with others that the United States should take the lead, but says it must establish what criteria would determine what action.

"You can use a FINRA-type model, but it's a silly conversation," Gates said. "It's like saying, 'Should we ‌meet to discuss taxation at this restaurant or this restaurant?'"

In his blog post, Gates said it was the "world's top priority" to deliver an AI future that does not widen inequality and hurt the vulnerable, ahead of climate change and health crises.

As he pursues high-profile ​engagements, Gates also told Reuters ​he planned to see UK Prime Minister ⁠Andy Burnham this autumn. In February, he cancelled an appearance in India after the U.S. released files from sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Gates has said he did not realize the extent of Epstein's crimes when associating with him for philanthropy.