# Bill Gates Seeks to Influence Trump on AI Regulation Tech billionaire warns of AI risks and pushes for political safeguards. - **Source:** [Gizmodo](https://brifing.si/source/63382431-cef0-4c41-883e-2f88dc21351e) - **Published:** 2026-09-28 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d66a008a-e03e-4696-ba57-a76da8991980 ## Gates' shift on AI Bill Gates has transitioned from promoting AI to warning about its dangers. In August 2026, he published an essay calling for urgent action to prevent turbulent times. His successor at Microsoft, Satya Nadella, prioritized OpenAI partnership while acknowledging AI firms should mitigate risks. Gates now emphasizes AI's potential for harm over its benefits. ## Current AI threats Gates identifies existing AI risks like cyberattacks and exacerbating mental health crises. While worst-case scenarios remain unproven, he warns AI empowers malicious actors like never before. Security researcher Juan Andrés Guerrero-Saade criticizes exaggerated apocalypse scenarios prevalent among AI lab staff as 'childish thinking' that flatters their importance. ## Political engagement strategy Gates argues law enforcement and politicians must establish AI safeguards, stating 'no one thinks self-regulation is enough.' He plans to personally convince Donald Trump, leveraging his tech credibility. This follows Gates' unsuccessful 2025 attempt to persuade Trump on global health funding, which saw continued aid cuts despite their discussions. ## Gates' credibility challenge The billionaire faces reputational hurdles due to his extensive ties to Jeffrey Epstein, which contributed to his divorce and Warren Buffett cutting contact. These associations may undermine his influence efforts. Meanwhile, Trump maintains his own Epstein connections, creating an unusual common ground for their potential AI discussions. ## Trump's regulatory stance The Trump administration has consistently prioritized budget cuts over global programs, secretly negotiating to slash tens of billions in health funds through 2030. This track record suggests Gates faces an uphill battle convincing Trump to implement AI safeguards, especially given Trump's skepticism about government intervention in tech. ## Industry self-regulation limits OpenAI recently paused advanced development after security incidents, showing some willingness for self-restraint. However, Gates insists this isn't sufficient, citing AI's potential for catastrophic harm. His warning that AI could 'cause a billion deaths' aims to shock policymakers into action, while avoiding Terminator-style exaggerations. ## Political vs. tech realities Gates' approach contrasts with many AI executives who promote either utopian or apocalyptic visions. His pragmatic focus on concrete harms like cyberweapons reflects Microsoft's enterprise perspective. However, his mixed success influencing Trump on health policy raises questions about his political strategy for AI regulation. ## Regulation's urgent timeline With AI advancing rapidly and Gates warning of imminent turbulence, the window for effective safeguards may be closing. The combination of powerful tools and malicious actors creates unprecedented risks. Yet political divisions and Trump's deregulatory instincts make timely, coordinated action unlikely without sustained pressure from tech leaders. ## Sources covering this story - https://gizmodo.com/bill-gates-suggests-hes-the-man-to-convince-donald-trump-to-regulate-ai-2000817933 — --- _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._