Bill Gates warns AI needs regulation like cars and medicine, says it can help prevent misuse

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has become one of the biggest voices for AI regulation in recent weeks. Now, Gates has claimed that the technology needs to be regulated the same way we regulate medicines or cars, in an effort to reduce potential risks."Just as we regulate planes, cars, and medicines, we need safeguards that help us realize AI's incredible potential while reducing the risks,” Bill Gates wrote on X. The Microsoft co-founder accepted that while regulation alone may not end all risks related to the technology, it can at least be helpful in preventing someone from misusing AI models. “They won’t eliminate every harm, but they can help prevent misuse by bad actors,” he added.Bill Gates made it clear that it was time that the world worked on stricter regulation around AI. He stated, “We’re not where we need to be yet—and this deserves much more of our attention." Bill Gates wrote on X. AI risk debate may get overblownWhile Gates believes that it is time for more control around AI, he addressed the doomsday talks around the technology. According to the Microsoft co-founder, comments on AI potentially ending humanity may be a bit overblown. "The way that gets articulated in terms of potential negative scenarios, yes, it can get overblown,” he told CNN. “When people act like all of humanity is at risk in some intimate way, that is going too far." In recent weeks, debate around AI has centred on its dangers. AI researchers like Jacob Coxon have led the conversation on AI potentially killing all humans. This has led to companies like OpenAI and Anthropic pushing for stronger regulation. Previously, however, Gates said AI could be disastrous for humans. “AI is certainly powerful enough to drive events that, you know, cause a billion deaths,” he said last month.Even so, Bill Gates accepted that AI did pose dangers that were higher than other sectors that are already subject to regulation. "But say, compared to cars, or planes, or drugs, all things that I think we're pleased that we have significant regulatory capability to try and keep people safe, this is more dangerous than any of those,” he explained. “And so there are some grim possibilities if we don't maintain control. And I do think the industry is doing its job to raise the alarm bell." The Microsoft co-founder insisted that we needed to find a “middle ground” for AI safety.Milk is more regulated than AI, says Microsoft president Meanwhile, Microsoft president Brad Smith has made a similar case for regulation, saying AI is currently less regulated than everyday products. Smith told the BBC, "Right now, your washing machine is subject to more safety rules than AI. Every carton of milk that you see in the grocery store is subject to safety rules and inspection." He called AI both a "tool and a weapon" and said global rules were urgently needed. "Let's get started today," he added.Recently, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also warned that we cannot trust AI models blindly as they continue to get more powerful and gained access to our data. “We must assume a model is compromised and contain it from the start,” he said on X. “Think of it like an emergency brake.”These remarks come at a time when the industry is debating the future of the technology. While Anthropic and OpenAI have argued for regulation, the likes of Meta and Nvidia have been on the opposing end of this conversation. US President Donald Trump has also warned that regulating AI development may allow China to beat the US in the AI race. Though tech leaders in the US have signed Trump’s AI accords that serve as a voluntary non-binding agreement on safe AI development.- Ends