Bill Gates pushes back on Donald Trump, says calls to slow AI are not a hoax

In recent weeks, the debate around AI has largely been focused on the potential risks and the need for a slowdown in development. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has now joined this conversation, claiming that US President Donald Trump is wrong. In particular, Gates addressed Trump’s concerns that such a decision may give China an advantage.

"All countries should want the safeguards in place,” Bill Gates told NBC. "So anyone that says, 'Well, you know, China won't put these safeguards in place' – I totally disagree with that."

Previously, Donald Trump had stated that a slowdown in US AI development could allow Chinese players to get ahead. “So, the AI, it’s almost a conspiracy, and the happiest group is China, they’re very happy,” he said. “I’m telling you, it’s all a hoax,” he said earlier this month.

Bill Gates responded to Trump’s remarks over the AI slowdown push. He said, “It’s not a hoax at all.”

The Microsoft co-founder claimed that he wanted to speak to President Donald Trump to discuss this matter directly. Bill Gates was confident that he would be able to change the US president’s mind over the AI situation.

“I hope that, given my life’s work in the field, my saying how unique and different this is and how concerned I am will add to what he’s hearing from other people,” Gates said.

The Microsoft co-founder was adamant that if the US takes the step to monitor AI development, China may follow suit. “The United States ought to make sure this is done. China will want to do this,” he added.Bill Gates says AI needs regulation

Going further, Gates pointed out that it was time for a greater push towards AI regulation, one that sees proper discussions from politicians. “You need law enforcement and the politicians to get into the discussion about what safeguards and monitoring look like,” he said. “And that has to be a required thing.”

Recently, Bill Gates has increasingly focused on the possible harms of advanced AI models – like many other tech leaders such as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI’s Sam Altman. “AI is certainly powerful enough to drive events that, you know, cause a billion deaths,” Gates said.

His remarks come as debate continues within the technology industry and government over how AI should be regulated. While Anthropic and OpenAI have argued for regulation, the likes of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg have opposed it.

US President Donald Trump is set to meet Dario Amodei for dinner at the White House soon. While the agenda of this dinner is not known, it is possible that the two may discuss AI regulations. Trump met other AI leaders, including Sam Altman and Elon Musk, during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington DC this month.- EndsAlso Read | Bill Gates says AI will cause a billion deaths, urgent law is neededAlso Read | Donald Trump calls Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang live on stage, says AI takeover claims are a hoaxAlso Read | OpenAI reveals rogue AI agents leaked 53 user images to external sites

Armaan Agarwal is a tech journalist with India Today Tech. Apart from having a keen eye for the latest gadgets, Armaan has an avid interest in the world of automobiles and aviation.