Bill Gates asks “Self-regulation on the most dangerous tool ever invented?” and urges rules for AI

In a Wednesday essay, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates urged governments to impose binding rules on artificial intelligence, arguing that voluntary industry safeguards are no longer enough for a technology he regards as extremely dangerous. He proposed taxing certain AI uses—such as charging for the data units processed by models—to slow automation-driven job losses, restricting systems that could aid bioterrorism, and designating some roles as off-limits to replacement. Gates said he was particularly struck by the rapid progress of coding tools like Anthropic’s Claude Code, and warned the disruption could hit many industries at once. He also called for international agreements and mandatory review before high-risk models are released. His remarks add a prominent voice to growing calls for stricter AI oversight.