Bill Gates Tells Trump Not to Slow AI Innovation, Slams ‘Kill Switch’ Debate — Warns ‘A Billion Deaths’ Could Be Possible Without Safeguards

• Bill Gates called AI 'kill switches' inadequate and urged mandatory regulation over voluntary industry measures. • He warned AI is powerful enough to potentially cause a billion deaths without proper oversight. • Gates wants Trump to set monitoring standards for advanced AI, not slow innovation; Trump plans to meet Anthropic's CEO. Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder, warned on NBC's Meet the Press that AI 'kill switches' are an inadequate safeguard against misuse, calling the concept a 'weird thing' since AI isn't yet autonomous enough to resist being shut down. He called for legislation requiring companies to monitor advanced AI models and keep detailed records of their activity, arguing voluntary industry measures aren't enough to prevent cyberattacks or bioterrorism. Gates said AI is powerful enough to potentially cause a billion deaths if mismanaged. Asked what he'd tell President Trump, Gates said he wouldn't ask him to slow AI development, but to establish oversight standards and help bring stakeholders together to define effective safeguards. In August, Gates had warned AI could cause rapid job displacement and deepen wealth inequality. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has voiced similar concerns about AI transparency and IP protection. Trump said he plans to meet Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to discuss AI safety, while maintaining that the U.S., roughly 18 months ahead of China in AI, shouldn't cede its lead by slowing down.