Milan, 28 Sept. (LaPresse) – Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could cause “a billion deaths” if left unchecked; the statement was made on Sunday during the NBC programme ‘Meet the Press’, against the backdrop of the growing debate on the need to regulate this technology. During the interview, Gates – who had previously warned that AI could prove to be either the “greatest force for equality” or the “worst source of injustice” in the absence of some form of human regulation – avoided answering whether this technology could lead to the “end of humanity”, whilst arguing that it could trigger events capable of causing a huge number of casualties. “AI is certainly powerful enough to trigger events that could, in fact, cause a billion deaths,” Gates said, as reported by Fox News. “Although it is difficult to be 100 per cent certain, there has never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of malicious individuals and the latest AI tools,” he added. Gates disagreed with those who prioritise concerns about global competition, arguing that it is “absolutely” necessary to focus more on regulation and on Congress passing legislation. “The problem is that the rest of the world tends to underestimate the issue or simply view it as a competitive race. It is truly worrying that there is no collective debate amongst experts on how we want to shape this technology,” Gates observed.
Bill Gates: “AI could cause a billion deaths; we need regulation”
Milan, 28 Sept. (LaPresse) – Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could cause “a billion deaths” if left unchecked; the statement was made on Sunday during the NBC programme ‘Meet the Press’, against the backdrop of the growing debate on the need to regulate this technology. During the interview, Gates – who had previously warned that AI could prove to be either the “greatest force for equality” or the “worst source of injustice” in the absence of some form of human regulation – avoided answering whether this technology could lead to the “end of humanity”, whilst arguing that it could trigger events capable of causing a huge number of casualties. “AI is certainly powerful enough to trigger events that could, in fact, cause a billion deaths,” Gates said, as reported by Fox News. “Although it is difficult to be 100 per cent certain, there has never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of malicious individuals and the latest AI tools,” he added. Gates disagreed with those who prioritise concerns about global competition, arguing that it is “absolutely” necessary to focus more on regulation and on Congress passing legislation. “The problem is that the rest of the world tends to underestimate the issue or simply view it as a competitive race. It is truly worrying that there is no collective debate amongst experts on how we want to shape this technology,” Gates observed.