Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Gates Seeks Xi Talks on Global Rules for AI Risks
Bill Gates is worried that artificial intelligence could create serious dangers.
He wants to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss international safety rules.
Gates thinks China might support limits on dangerous AI models if the United States leads first.
He also wants countries to watch whether AI could help create harmful molecules or biological attacks.
He is concerned that AI could hack websites, replace workers and make people psychologically dependent on technology.
Gates has suggested creating an international organization to manage these risks.
He says some jobs should remain for humans, especially jobs involving personal care.
He also supports taxing companies when AI replaces workers.
His foundation is using AI in pregnancy health projects and to support healthcare workers in Rwanda.
Bill Gates is seeking a tentative November meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China.
Gates believes China might restrict dangerous AI models if the United States acts first.
He wants countries to monitor AI’s ability to create harmful molecules and assist biological attacks.
Gates proposed an international AI organization modeled on nuclear, aviation and ozone-protection agreements.
He urged protecting human jobs, taxing AI-driven labor displacement and expanding AI-related health initiatives.
- Who
- Bill Gates is seeking discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and wants the United States and other countries involved.
- What
- Gates wants global rules and monitoring to address dangerous AI models, cyberattacks, biological threats, psychological harms and job displacement.
- When
- A meeting with Xi is tentatively planned for November; Gates also expects to meet UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in autumn.
- Where
- The proposed Xi meeting would take place during Gates’s next trip to China; the specific location was not stated.
- Why
- Gates believes AI poses unusually serious risks and requires coordinated policy to protect people and prevent inequality.
Stronger International AI Oversight
Alternative Oversight and Innovation Approaches
Restricting powerful AI models
Stronger International AI Oversight
Gates argues that countries should establish criteria for restricting dangerous model releases and coordinate international safeguards.
Alternative Oversight and Innovation Approaches
The United States has exercised some control over powerful model distribution, while much additional regulation has occurred at the state level; technology leaders have also highlighted AI’s benefits.
Designing an oversight body
Stronger International AI Oversight
Gates supports an international organization drawing on nuclear inspections, aviation regulation and ozone-protection agreements.
Alternative Oversight and Innovation Approaches
Demis Hassabis has proposed a body modeled on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority that would develop and conduct national-security AI tests.
AI’s effect on employment
Stronger International AI Oversight
Gates wants to preserve some jobs for humans and tax companies whose AI outputs replace labor to help fund a safety net.
Alternative Oversight and Innovation Approaches
The articles report that many technology leaders emphasize AI’s benefits, but do not provide a specific response from them to Gates’s employment proposals.
- Proposed China meeting
- Gates’s staff are working to finalize a meeting with Xi Jinping during a China trip tentatively scheduled for November.
- Dangerous AI models
- Gates believes China might support restrictions if the United States takes the initiative first.
- Biological risks
- Gates wants countries to monitor AI’s ability to create molecules and assist biological attacks.
- International organization
- His proposed AI body would draw on nuclear inspections, international aviation regulations and ozone-protection agreements.
- Human employment
- Gates said society should reserve up to 40% of current jobs for humans.
- Foundation spending
- Gates’s foundation aims to spend $200 billion by 2045, with an increasing focus on AI.
- Healthcare projects
- The foundation is working with Anthropic on pregnancy health checks and with OpenAI to support healthcare workers in Rwanda.
Sources
Bill Gates, alarmed by AI, has policy ideas he wants to discuss with China’s Xi
AI risks, curbs on dangerous models and a global action plan: What all Bill Gates wants to discuss with Xi
Bill Gates, alarmed by AI, has policy ideas he wants to discuss with China’s Xi
