Bill Gates warns of 20 years of AI turmoil and calls for global coordination

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and chairman of the Gates Foundation, warned that the AI-driven era will bring 20 years of turmoil, splitting society between those embracing and resisting technological progress. He called AI 'the most dangerous thing humans have ever gone near,' stressing the need for global coordination to manage risks like cyberattacks, bioterrorism, and economic disruption. Gates criticized current policy and industry efforts as insufficient, noting low public awareness and trust in AI risks. Recent cybersecurity incidents, such as the Hugging Face breach, exemplify AI’s growing power and danger. He argued for regulatory oversight, as competition makes unilateral action impractical, and expressed concerns about governments’ ability to understand and regulate AI. Gates also criticized the industry’s shift from idealistic goals to commercial interests, highlighting the failure of structures meant to prevent unchecked AI development. He urged a coordinated global effort to address AI’s challenges, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.