WASHINGTON: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned of the serious risks associated with the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), saying that advanced AI technology could potentially cause the deaths of up to one billion people if it falls into the wrong hands.
In an interview with NBC News, Gates said malicious actors could use advanced AI tools in ways that could prove more dangerous than weapons available in the past. He urged the US government to introduce effective laws and safety regulations governing the development and use of AI.
Gates said AI has created significant opportunities in fields including medicine, education, business and science. However, he warned that its misuse could increase risks such as cyberattacks, fraud, identity theft and the spread of fabricated content.
Experts have also pointed to the potential use of AI to automate cyberattacks and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems. At the same time, concerns are growing that advanced AI could facilitate the misuse of sensitive information related to biological research, highlighting the need for stronger safety safeguards alongside the continued development of the technology.
