Bill Gates warns malicious AI could cause up to one billion deaths

Malicious actors using increasingly powerful AI could drive events that cause up to one billion deaths, Bill Gates warned. The concern is not limited to hypothetical future systems: the immediate risk comes from people applying advanced tools to harmful ends. Gates said the response needs coordination before the technology becomes harder to monitor.

• Up to one billion potential deaths
• Malicious use of advanced AI
• Safeguards and monitoring by governments

He called for law enforcement, politicians, and governments to establish safeguards, monitoring, and political cooperation around AI. The warning began circulating on September 25, 2026.