‘Not a hoax at all’: Bill Gates says Trump is wrong to hold out against AI safeguards

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeInnovation'Not a hoax at all': Bill Gates says Trump is wrong to hold out against AI safeguardsMicrosoft co-founder among tech leaders weighing in as the rapidly advancing technology stokes debate about AI safetyAuthor of the article:Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates talks during the Gates Foundation's first global Goalkeepers event in the Nordics, on Jan. 22, 2026. Photo by Stefan JERREVANG /AFP via Getty ImagesMicrosoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates said government safeguards against potentially catastrophic artificial intelligence risks won’t hamper the United States in its competition with China, contrasting with U.S. President Donald Trump’s largely hands-off approach.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account“Certainly, all countries should want the safeguards in place,” Gates said in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press. “So anyone that says, ‘Well, you know, China won’t put these safeguards in place’ — I totally disagree with that.”This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Gates is among the tech leaders weighing in as the rapidly advancing technology stokes debate about AI safety, including warnings by some that it will put humanity at risk. In an interview excerpt released last week, Gates told NBC that AI is a powerful enough tool to “cause a billion deaths.”Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againFaced with low approval ratings as the Republicans fight to retain control of Congress in elections in November, Trump has portrayed warnings of existential AI risks as a hoax that threatens U.S. innovation and plays into China’s hands.“It’s not a hoax at all,” Gates said, when asked about Trump’s remarks.He said he expects China to join in supporting AI safety because it doesn’t want to be a target of attacks. Trump, he argued, might shift his stance “after he hears from me and other people — including that this does not handicap us in whatever he thinks the nation-state race is.”Gates previously argued in an essay in August that bad actors could use increasingly powerful AI tools for cyberattacks, fraud, disinformation and other forms of large-scale harm against hospitals, financial institutions, power grids and government systems.A kill switch — the idea of ensuring that humans retain the ability to stop or restrict a powerful AI model if it begins behaving dangerously — is “not enough” and can’t replace oversight at earlier stages, Gates told NBC.“We do need to monitor any sophisticated model and record exactly what’s being done,” he said. “The United States ought to make sure this is done. China will want to do this.”This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.