The Microsoft co-founder called for mandatory monitoring of powerful artificial intelligence systems in an NBC interview that aired Sunday. Bill Gates arrives for a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill on June 10, 2026. | Kent Nishimura/AFP via Bill Gates said that requiring a “kill switch” alone for artificial intelligence would not be enough to prevent people from using the technology to carry out attacks as lawmakers debate how to regulate AI’s risks. It’s not enough to have a kill switch,” the Microsoft co-founder said in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “We’re not yet at the point where they autonomously grab computers and, you know, can’t be shut down,” he said, adding that the public discussion “just sort of shows how nontechnical various people are.” Gates said he was not opposed to a kill switch but argued that companies should monitor sophisticated AI models and keep records of “exactly what’s being done” to help guard against people using the systems for cyberattacks or bioterrorism.
China will want to do this,” he continued. Gates’ comments come after Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) blocked fellow GOP Sen.
John Neely Kennedy’sattempt to quickly pass legislation that would require AI companies to build a “kill switch” into their models. Paul said senators needed more information before imposing rules across the economy and tried to amend Kennedy’s bill to establish a group that could make recommendations on AI guardrail policies to the Senate Commerce Committee — a suggestion the Louisiana Republican rejected. Gates also called for legislation requiring safeguards and monitoring, saying voluntary measures by AI companies were insufficient.
He argued that the more immediate danger was people using AI to cause harm rather than AI systems acting on their own. How the next wave of technology is upending the global economy and its power structures By signing up, you acknowledge and agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . You may unsubscribe at any time by following the directions at the bottom of the email or by contacting us here .
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