Entertainment
Bill Gates calls AI humanity's riskiest invention and seeks a sit-down with Trump
Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates told Jake Tapper that AI needs outside rules like cars and drugs have and said he hopes to talk it over with President Trump.
Bill Gates has a blunt message about artificial intelligence. He thinks it poses a bigger threat than any tool people have built before. He also says the firms racing to build it should not be left to write their own rules.
Tougher rules than cars or medicine
The Microsoft cofounder made his case in a Sunday sit-down with CNN anchor Jake Tapper. He described AI as "the most dangerous technology humans ever invented."
Gates noted that governments already keep a close watch on automobiles, airplanes and prescription drugs. In his view a technology with even higher stakes deserves at least as much oversight.
He also said talk of AI ending the human race can be exaggerated. Still he argued that is no reason to simply trust big tech companies to get it right on their own.
Worries about work
Gates is not only focused on worst-case scenarios. He is also concerned about what AI could do to ordinary workers.
He said leaders should think hard about placing taxes on AI systems and robots. He also floated the idea of shielding some kinds of jobs from automation.
Not his first warning
Gates struck a similar note during an earlier appearance on NBC's Meet the Press with Kristen Welker. There he said AI could be strong enough to set off events leading to a billion deaths.
Hoping for time with the president
Gates told Tapper he has already met with a number of lawmakers about the issue. Next he wants to sit down with President Trump and members of his administration.
His bottom line is that big choices about AI are coming fast. He believes the country needs to make them soon.
