# Bill Gates Criticizes Trump Administration Over AI Bioweapon Risks Gates warns that unchecked AI development could trigger a pandemic worse than Covid-19. - **Source:** [Folha de S.Paulo](https://www.folha.uol.com.br) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [technology](https://brifing.si/c/technology) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/1f234062-334a-445b-8c76-634f3b442dcd ## Urgent Warning on Biosecurity Bill Gates recently warned that artificial intelligence poses a severe risk of enabling the creation of biological weapons. Speaking at the Future of AI conference, he argued that such incidents could result in a global pandemic significantly worse than Covid-19, which caused an estimated 22.1 million deaths worldwide. ## Stalled Federal Regulation Gates accused the Trump administration of obstructing international efforts to regulate AI. He stated that global progress is effectively stalled because the United States refuses to participate in necessary oversight. Trump has rejected stricter state regulations, labeling international guidelines as a globalist agenda and favoring industry self-regulation instead. ## Risks of Open Models The primary threat stems from malicious actors exploiting open-source AI models that lack safety guardrails. Gates emphasized that removing security and monitoring features from these models makes it dangerously easy to exploit cyber vulnerabilities. He argued that self-regulation by private companies is insufficient when multiple firms are involved. ## Proposed Government Interventions To mitigate these risks, Gates called for mandatory government-led benchmarks and independent audits for new AI models. He suggested implementing massive surveillance systems in air, sewage, and blood to detect early signs of infections. These measures aim to identify potential threats before they escalate into uncontrollable public health crises. ## Accelerated Tech Development The pace of AI development remains relentless, with new models expected from OpenAI and Anthropic later this year and in 2027. Gates noted that the risk of models escaping human control is becoming a grave concern. He praised Anthropic for its transparency regarding potential catastrophic or existential risks to humanity. ## Balancing Innovation and Safety While emphasizing safety, Gates acknowledged the potential benefits of AI, such as drug discovery and improved hospital efficiency. He stressed that these positive outcomes do not happen naturally and require deliberate effort. He continues to advocate for government involvement to ensure that technological advancements prioritize human safety and welfare. ## Economic and Social Policy Beyond security, Gates expressed support for taxing billionaires in a society transformed by AI. He endorsed the concept of a wealth tax, similar to measures proposed in California. He is currently working with tech leaders to ensure that AI resources are directed toward impactful areas, including global health initiatives. ## Future Outlook and Accountability The debate over AI governance highlights a growing divide between tech leaders and the current administration. Gates questioned how many severe events must occur before the government changes its stance. As AI capabilities expand, the pressure for robust, independent oversight and international cooperation will likely remain a central political issue. ## Sources covering this story - https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://c-level.folha.uol.com.br/ia/2026/11/bill-gates-acusa-governo-trump-de-travar-combate-a-armas-biologicas-criadas-por-ia.shtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._