Bill Gates Urges Global Unity to Confront AI Risks
Microsoft founder Bill Gates has warned governments across the globe that they are not yet prepared for the massive changes that artificial intelligence (AI) will bring to society.
He believes that governments must move more quickly to anticipate AI risks, ranging from threats to employment to the potential for attacks and addiction to AI-based virtual companions. Gates, who was previously known for being quite optimistic about AI developments, is now becoming more open about the risks accompanying the technology.
“I do not think any government understands this issue as deeply as they should,” said Gates, as quoted by Reuters on Friday (18/9/2026).
Nevertheless, Gates believes that AI holds great potential to assist the world’s poor if the technology is managed well and made accessible to all. He stated that he has discussed his concerns regarding AI with several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and his team. Gates also mentioned plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.
“Governments are far behind in this regard,” he remarked.
Amidst his concerns, Gates and his foundation intend to utilise AI to narrow the gap between wealthy nations and societies and the poor. On Tuesday, the Gates Foundation announced plans to allocate at least US$1 billion over the next two years to expand access to AI. This funding is part of the foundation’s annual expenditure plan of approximately US$9 billion.
The funds will be distributed to partners developing AI applications in the fields of education, health, and agriculture. The foundation will also support the development of the data foundations required for AI, including ensuring that large language models (LLMs) can function in the various languages used by global communities.
Gates believes that the healthcare sector is one of the areas with immense potential to benefit from AI. “For healthcare, it is difficult to overstate the potential,” he explained.
According to him, AI can assist frontline healthcare workers and support the processes of discovering new drugs and vaccines. However, Gates emphasised that governments need to work together to face the various issues arising from AI development. He even likened the emergence of AI to a plot from a disaster film.
“There are various films where aliens arrive, and magically the United States, China, and everyone unites to solve the problem,” he said.
“AI is somewhat like this alien intelligence. It is already here, and we should act as shown in those films.”