Bill Gates is seeking to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year to propose joint international initiatives to address the escalating risks of artificial intelligence. The Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist told during an interview that he believes China would likely support restrictions on releasing hazardous AI models if the U.S. takes the initiative first. "The whole world would go along with that," said Gates, who met with Xi three years ago when he became the first foreign entrepreneur hosted by the Chinese president following the pandemic.
Gates also intends to suggest that nations monitor AI's capacity to synthesize molecules and execute biological attacks — a safeguard he said would not impede the growth of the technology sector. A spokesperson for Gates confirmed that his staff is working to finalize a meeting with Xi for his upcoming visit to China, which is tentatively set for November. President Xi "might be surprised by how vehement I am," Gates observed.
He noted that while China is moving to protect children from becoming addicted to AI companions, few global leaders are taking proactive steps to counter the broader spectrum of dangers posed by the technology. "Yes, in the past, technology never did this. This is like an evolutionary milestone that needs incredible policy management by society as a whole." While Gates expressed optimism regarding AI earlier in January, he has since grown increasingly concerned about its potential to launch cyberattacks, displace human labor, and foster psychological dependence among users.
In recent cybersecurity evaluations, systems developed by OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta Platforms successfully breached real-world websites within isolated testing environments. "These security incidents are shocking, and they should blow people's minds," Gates said. In a blog post published Wednesday, Gates advocated creating a new international regulatory framework for AI, drawing inspiration from nuclear inspection protocols, global aviation standards, and treaties governing the protection of the ozone layer.
President Donald Trump's administration has exerted limited oversight over the release of advanced AI models such as Anthropic’s Fable 5, with most regulatory action taking place at the state level. While several prominent tech figures, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, continue to highlight AI's advantages, others have raised alarms about its hazards. Demis Hassabis, chair of Google DeepMind, has proposed establishing an authority modeled after the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to design and execute national security tests for AI systems.
Gates agrees that the United States should lead the process, but stresses that clear criteria must guide regulatory action. "You can use a FINRA-type model, but it's a silly conversation," Gates said. "It’s like saying, ‘Should we meet to discuss taxation at this restaurant or this restaurant?'" In his blog post, Gates described ensuring an AI-driven future that does not exacerbate inequality or harm vulnerable populations as the "world’s top priority," placing it ahead of climate change and health crises.
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