Bill Gates warns artificial intelligence is "powerful enough" to cause "a billion deaths" if left unchecked, calling it "completely irresponsible" not to require safeguards on every AI system.

The Microsoft co-founder told NBC's Meet the Press that the combination of people with ill intent and the latest AI tools amounts to the most powerful weapon ever created — and pushed back on the Trump administration's approach of treating AI purely as a global competition with China rather than an existential safety concern.

The warning drew sharp reactions on both sides. RNC member Amy Kremer said "the only people still denying the reality of the situation are those being paid by Big AI to gaslight the American people," while investment CEO Nancy Tengler fired back that Gates' framing ignores the need to win the AI race the same way the U.S. won the Cold War arms race.