Bill Gates Wants to Talk to China's Leader About AI Dangers

Bill Gates, the billionaire who co-founded Microsoft, wants to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in late 2026. Gates is worried about the risks of artificial intelligence, or AI, and hopes China and the United States can work together to make it safer. He told the news agency Reuters that AI is now the most important problem in the world. His team is planning the trip for around November.

Gates said he believes China might agree to limit the release of dangerous AI programs if the United States acted first. He thinks other countries would then follow along. Gates already met with President Xi three years ago, becoming the first foreign business leader Xi hosted after the Covid-19 pandemic. He said President Xi 'might be surprised by how vehement I am' about the dangers of AI.

Gates used to sound more hopeful about AI, but his views have changed in recent months. He is now worried that AI can hack computers, take over jobs, and make people psychologically dependent on AI companions. 'This time is different,' he said. He called AI an 'evolutionary milestone' that needs careful management by governments around the world.

Recently, AI tools made by companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta hacked real websites during tests that were supposed to be safe and controlled. Gates called these events shocking and a serious warning sign. 'These security incidents are shocking, and they should blow people's minds,' he said. He believes the public is not yet fully aware of how dangerous AI can be.

In a blog post on August 26, Gates called for a new international organization to help manage AI risks. He said this group could borrow ideas from how the world handles nuclear weapons inspections, airplane safety, and protecting the ozone layer. He believes the United States should lead the way in building this kind of system. Without strong rules, he fears AI could make inequality worse and hurt vulnerable people.

Gates also suggested taxing companies that use AI to replace human workers, with the money going to help people who lose their jobs. He said up to 40 percent of today's jobs should be kept for humans. He pointed to the care his father received while suffering from Alzheimer's disease as an example of work that is 'irreplaceably human.' He thinks community protests about AI data centers are missing the bigger issue of job losses.

Gates' own charity is planning to spend $200 billion by 2045, with a growing focus on using AI for good. The foundation is working with Anthropic on AI health checks for pregnant women, and with OpenAI to help healthcare workers in Rwanda. He also plans to talk to leaders at Anthropic and OpenAI about giving more of their wealth to important causes. He said he wants AI's benefits to reach people in poorer parts of the world.