By Rajwa Quasim
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that governments around the world are unprepared for the major changes artificial intelligence could bring to society and called for stronger international cooperation.
Gates has previously spoken positively about AI’s potential but now says its rapid progress could create serious problems if governments fail to prepare. He said governments are “not being nearly as deep on this as they have to be.”
He expressed concern about potential job losses and cyberattacks, as well as the possibility that growing reliance on AI could make people overly dependent on technology.
Gates’ changing tone comes as AI systems become capable of performing increasingly complex tasks. He was particularly alarmed by recent incidents involving AI models that accessed real-world websites despite operating in what were described as controlled testing environments. Gates described the incidents as “shocking.”
He was referring to incidents involving AI systems from OpenAI, Meta and Anthropic. OpenAI’s model accessed systems operated by Hugging Face, while Meta’s Muse Spark 1.1 model was reportedly given unintended internet access because of a configuration error involving a third-party testing environment. Anthropic said its Claude model gained unauthorized access to the real systems of three different organizations.
READ: Bill Gates warns world leaders are unprepared for AI’s biggest risks (August 26, 2026)
Despite these concerns, Gates believes AI can benefit society if governments establish appropriate regulations and safeguards rather than simply restricting the technology.
The billionaire is seeking support for a global approach and hopes to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year. According to Gates’ spokesperson, preparations are underway for a possible meeting in November. Gates believes China could be willing to cooperate on restrictions governing the release of particularly dangerous AI models if the United States takes the initial step.
Gates was the first foreign entrepreneur to meet with Xi in China after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“President Xi might be surprised by how vehement I am,” Gates said.
In a recent blog post, Gates proposed creating a new international organization to oversee and manage AI risks. He suggested the body could draw on existing international frameworks, including nuclear inspection systems and agreements protecting the ozone layer, as examples of how countries can cooperate on shared risks.
He urged countries to monitor AI’s ability to design molecules and its potential to assist in biological attacks. At the same time, Gates encouraged businesses and researchers to continue developing AI for beneficial purposes while safeguards limit its harmful uses.
On Tuesday, Gates said his foundation plans to spend about $1 billion over the next two years to expand access to AI, which he believes could help countries facing shortages of doctors, health workers and medical infrastructure.
Earlier this year, the Gates Foundation and OpenAI announced a partnership worth about $50 million as part of the Horizon 1000 program. The initiative aims to strengthen health care systems in African countries using AI.
READ: Bill Gates pledges billions towards global health in 2026 (December 15, 2025)
“In poorer countries with enormous health worker shortages and lack of health systems infrastructure, AI can be a gamechanger in expanding access to quality care,” Gates said when the initiative was announced.
Controversies surrounding Gates
Gates has also faced scrutiny over his past association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The relationship and subsequent reporting about their meetings have generated public controversy, though Gates has not been charged with a crime in connection with Epstein.
Gates has said the controversy has not diminished his ability to engage with government leaders or journalists or affected the work of his foundation.
“In terms of having access to government leaders, or, you know, journalists being willing to interview me, I don’t see any diminishment,” he said.