appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Vincent Chow

Cooperation between the United States and China is required to manage the unprecedented societal impacts of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Bill Gates wrote in a new essay published on Wednesday.
The call to action comes as the billionaire philanthropist and tech titan warns that AI is ushering in “one of the most turbulent times in human history”, which could either become “the greatest equaliser ever invented, or the worst source of injustice”.
“[The] countries that host the leading AI developers and control critical parts of the supply chain should begin meeting now to set up shared norms, before competitive pressure makes it harder for them to cooperate,” he wrote.
“Building the framework I’m talking about will take years, which is why we need to start now.”
In the 6,000-word essay, the Microsoft co-founder said world leaders are not adequately preparing for the transition to the AI era, which he believes differs from past technological transitions because of the pace of AI progress and the scale of its potential impacts.
“This time really is different,” he wrote.


In recent years, concerns that rapid AI progress is outpacing societies’ ability to manage its impacts have prompted experts to call on the US and China, the two leading AI superpowers, to slow research and development.
The two countries are set to hold talks on AI governance next month during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the US, though it remains unclear what will be discussed.
Gates wrote in his essay that, while he supports a global slowdown in AI development in theory, he does not believe it is likely to happen due to existing geopolitical and economic incentives “to go full speed ahead”.
Instead, world leaders should start by convening experts to identify gaps in institutional preparedness, he wrote, highlighting three main areas where AI risks are most urgent: labour displacement, AI-enabled crimes and surveillance, and impacts on children and human relationships.
Gates noted that China has “gone the furthest” so far to implement safeguards for children using AI, citing Beijing’s recent restrictions on AI companion apps that foster emotional dependence among minors.
In the section on blue-collar jobs, Gates wrote that many Americans do not realise how rapidly robotics is advancing because “much of the advanced work” is being done in China.
“I think ‘smart’ robots will begin to compete with people on some physical tasks – in the construction and hospitality industries, for example – by the end of the decade.”
The US and China previously agreed in 2024 to keep humans, not AI, in control of nuclear weapons. That remains the only high-level agreement between the two countries on the development and use of AI, as they compete fiercely to develop frontier AI models and robots.
However, recent high-profile incidents such as the hacking of software systems by cutting-edge AI models developed by US companies have raised expectations that Washington and Beijing may agree to cooperate on issues of shared concern, such as terrorist misuse of AI systems.
Reuters reported on Wednesday that Gates is working to finalise a meeting with Xi in China, tentatively in November, where he plans to raise his concerns about AI impacts.
Gates last met with Xi in 2023, when he was the first foreign business leader invited to meet the Chinese president following the pandemic.


US Congress passes bill targeting Russia’s leading energy buyers – China and India

Huawei accused of stealing robot tech to get hands on T-Mobile’s trade secrets

China affirms support for Iran, but warns against Yemen spillover

China mulls bid for Apec free-trade area to taunt US, tantalise Asia

US-China relations

Bill Gates warns of AI’s impact, urges the US and China to cooperate

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates issued a stark warning about AI’s risks, saying companies were rushing ahead with the technology without a broader plan for the massive upheaval it would cause. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS

In a small Virginia town, distrust of Big Tech hampers Trump’s AI push

The proposed data-centre campus at Berry Hill, a 3,500-acre industrial site 16 kilometres outside Danville, Virginia. Photo: Vincent Chow

Local entrepreneur Frank Leist says that the Danville region has suffered economically in recent years. Photo: Vincent Chow

Trump says China is driving anger at US data centres. These residents disagree

Lindsay Shaw sits outside her home in Sterling, northern Virginia, located across from a huge data centre. Photo: Handout

The huge data centre owned by Colorado-based company Vantage in Sterling, northern Virginia, with residential homes nearby. Photo: Bob Salehi

Lindsay Shaw’s home sits across from the data centre in Sterling, northern Virginia. Photo: Vincent Chow

Gas turbines used at the huge data centre owned by Colorado-based company Vantage in Sterling, northern Virginia. Photo: Bob Salehi

Shaw says the data centre has dramatically changed her life and that of the community in Sterling for the worse. Photo: Vincent Chow

As Xi’s US visit approaches, basic details of planned AI talks remain uncertain

The bilateral discussions come amid growing US-China rivalry over competing visions for global AI development. Photo: Shutterstock

China urged to avoid ‘us or them’ split with US over AI governance

The US and China have both set up their own international AI partnerships. Photo: Shutterstock

News

China

Diplomacy

Economy, Trade & Business

Tech titan argued on Wednesday artificial intelligence needs significant limits or else the harm to humans will outweigh any potential good


Tech titan argued on Wednesday artificial intelligence needs significant limits or else the harm to humans will outweigh any potential good.


Bill Gates warns of AI’s impact, urges the US and China to cooperate

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Tech titan argued on Wednesday artificial intelligence needs significant limits or else the harm to humans will outweigh any potential good

Tech titan argued on Wednesday artificial intelligence needs significant limits or else the harm to humans will outweigh any potential good