Bill Gates Says AI Safeguards Are Needed to Prevent Dangerous Misuse

September 28, 2026:

Bill Gates Says AI Safeguards Are Needed to Prevent Dangerous Misuse

Bill Gates is urging technology companies and regulators to strengthen safety measures as artificial intelligence continues to evolve.

Gates said companies should not release AI systems without proper protections in place. He believes developers should build safeguards and monitoring tools into AI systems before they are deployed.

Bill Gates Backs Greater AI Oversight

The Microsoft co-founder discussed the issue during an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press. His comments come as several AI executives have also debated whether the industry should slow the pace of development.

Gates also called for a larger role for lawmakers and law enforcement agencies in managing AI risks.

According to Gates, regulators should have a say in determining which safety measures AI companies need to implement. These requirements could create additional costs and administrative work for technology companies.

Still, Gates does not expect regulation to bring AI development to a halt.

He suggested that stronger oversight could create some additional workload for the industry without significantly slowing technological progress.

The discussion comes as governments and AI companies continue to examine how increasingly powerful systems should be developed and controlled.

Debate Over an AI Kill Switch

According to Engadget, the idea of a “kill switch” has also entered discussions about AI safety.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has previously proposed such a mechanism as one possible way to control advanced AI systems.

Gates said he would not oppose having a kill switch. However, he questioned whether it would solve the most urgent AI-related threats.

For Gates, the bigger concern involves people deliberately using AI for harmful activities.

Gates Warns About Malicious AI Use

Gates highlighted the potential misuse of advanced AI as a serious concern.

He specifically mentioned threats involving bioterrorism and large-scale financial fraud. More capable AI systems could potentially give malicious individuals additional tools to carry out harmful activities.

The concern is not limited to the technology itself.

The combination of increasingly powerful AI and people who intend to misuse it could create new security challenges. This has become an important part of the discussion surrounding AI safety.

“The most dangerous thing we’re facing right now is people with bad intent using AI. There’s never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of people with ill intent using the latest AI tools,” Gates said.

AI Companies Add New Safety Checks

Technology companies are also exploring additional ways to evaluate their AI systems.

Anthropic, for example, recently brought in Accenture as a third-party evaluator for its latest AI models. Independent assessments can provide another layer of scrutiny as developers build more advanced systems.

Based on this, people have been arguing about how AI models should be tested, monitored, and evaluated before and after deployment.

For Gates, safeguards and oversight should remain central to that process. He argues that regulation can help address potential risks while allowing companies to continue developing artificial intelligence.

Last year, Gates said that AI would take over medicine and education in a decade. He described the scenario as “profound and a bit scary.”

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