Bill Gates, the former chief executive of Microsoft, has expressed growing concern over the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, warning that the technology could lead to catastrophic consequences on a mass scale. Speaking on NBC News’ “Meet the Press With Kristen Welker” on Sunday, Gates stated that AI was powerful enough to cause events that could result in billions of deaths.

Addressing whether AI could pose an existential threat to humanity, Gates cautioned that while reaching a complete extinction event may be difficult, the combination of malicious actors using advanced AI tools presented unprecedented risks. “There’s never been a weapon as powerful as the combination of people with ill intent using the latest AI tools,” he said.

Gates noted that recent discussions within the technology sector about AI’s risks were encouraging but expressed concern that much of the broader global response either downplayed the issues or framed AI developments primarily as competitive opportunities rather than potential threats. “The problem is that the rest of the world is either discounting this or just thinking of this as a competition,” he added.

Historically, Gates has taken an optimistic view of AI, highlighting its potential to improve human health and quality of life. However, in an essay published in August, he acknowledged a shift in his perspective, expressing that AI could ultimately cause more harm than good. At that time, Gates described his newfound apprehension as unexpected, noting, “I’m surprised to feel this way,” and underscored his longstanding belief in the power of innovation to solve complex problems.

His recent statements mark a notable transition from earlier optimism to a more cautious stance, emphasizing the need for careful oversight and broader recognition of AI’s risks to prevent potentially devastating outcomes for humanity.