Bill Gates raises alarm over AI misuse, says it could be weaponised for bioterro

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has expressed serious concerns regarding the potential misuse of artificial intelligence, particularly in the creation of bioweapons. In his annual letter for 2026, Gates highlighted this issue alongside the looming threat AI poses to employment opportunities. Despite these concerns, Gates remains optimistic about the advancements being made in AI technology. He pointed out that the world is in a better place now than it was 70 years ago when he was born, although he acknowledges that recognizing progress can be challenging at times. "Of all the things humans have ever created, AI will change society the most," he stated, emphasizing that while AI has the potential to solve numerous problems, it also introduces new challenges distinct from those of past innovations. Gates noted that while predictions about achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) have not been met, the advancements in AI are likely to surpass human capabilities. He identified two significant challenges that society will face in the coming decade: the misuse of AI by malicious actors and the disruption it could cause in the job market. "Both are real risks that we need to manage more effectively," he urged, stressing the importance of deliberate development, governance, and deployment of AI technologies. Drawing parallels to his previous warnings about pandemic preparedness, Gates cited his 2015 TED talk, where he suggested that had the world heeded the call for better readiness, the suffering caused by pandemics could have been significantly lessened. He indicated that the current risk of non-state actors utilizing open-source AI tools to craft bioweapons may pose an even greater threat. On the subject of employment, Gates warned that AI's capabilities could lead to widespread job disruption. He mentioned that advancements in automation could allow for the production of goods and services with reduced human labor. "As AI fulfills its potential, we could see a reduction in the workweek or even decide against using AI in certain sectors," he remarked. Gates highlighted that the effects of AI are already being felt in fields like software development, where the demand for jobs is starting to shift. Although some sectors, such as warehouse operations and customer support, may not yet be significantly impacted, he predicts that disruptions will become more pronounced as AI technology continues to evolve. However, Gates also pointed out the positive implications of AI, particularly in enhancing healthcare globally. He believes that AI can dramatically improve healthcare delivery and innovation, although he acknowledged that further development is necessary to ensure reliability and effective integration with medical professionals. Gates remains hopeful that access to AI-driven healthcare solutions will soon expand worldwide.