Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has expressed deep concern about the rapid development of artificial intelligence and its potential to cause widespread job losses and threaten human safety. In a recent interview and a detailed essay published on his personal website, Gates emphasized that addressing the risks associated with AI should be a global priority.

Speaking candidly, Gates said the technology industry is often reluctant to acknowledge these dangers publicly due to financial interests, despite private worries among many experts about the pace and scale of AI advancements. He noted that previous warnings about AI surpassing human control or being misused—such as for creating biological weapons—were largely ignored, with companies moving forward aggressively.

Gates highlighted three moments when technological progress deeply surprised him: the introduction of the graphical user interface in 1980, the demonstration of ChatGPT by OpenAI in 2022, and recent breakthroughs by Anthropic’s AI system, Claude. Specifically, he pointed to Claude’s sophisticated coding abilities as a signal of AI’s growing power, marking a clear shift from past technological eras.

Unlike earlier innovations that created new jobs even as they displaced others, Gates warned that AI’s pervasive reach across the economy could lead to mass unemployment without sufficient alternatives. He cautioned that no single sector might be capable of absorbing displaced workers, intensifying social and economic challenges.

To address these risks, Gates proposed the implementation of a “token tax” to tax AI usage based on computing units, aiming to make it more costly to replace human labor and to fund support for affected workers. He also called for international agreements to regulate AI development, especially with regard to preventing its use in bioterrorism or other forms of weaponization.

Gates criticized voluntary industry measures and government oversight efforts, describing them as inadequate against what he termed “the most dangerous tool ever invented.” He said mandatory reviews should be required for AI systems with the potential to create harmful molecules or diseases, expressing frustration at the lack of urgency from policymakers and tech leaders.

Despite recent personal controversies, including a congressional hearing earlier this year and scrutiny of his past associations, Gates has reemerged as a vocal advocate for caution in AI development. He framed his involvement as consistent with his longtime focus on addressing global inequalities and public health issues through his philanthropic work.

Acknowledging his own complex legacy as a pioneering tech executive whose company once faced antitrust litigation, Gates underscored his unique position to contribute to this debate without the profit motives that drive current AI ventures. He said his warnings may be unpopular in some circles but stressed the importance of confronting the potential harms head-on.

“I don’t like bringing bad news to people,” Gates said, “but that’s where we are.” He also committed to raising AI concerns alongside global health in his ongoing conversations with world leaders, underscoring the critical intersection of technology and society’s future.