Bill Gates says Trump’s AI views point to societal blind spot

September 21, 2026 / 12:07 PM EDT / CBS News

Bill Gates told CBS Mornings that President Trump's view that the risks posed by AI are overblown reflects a societal blind spot, with many people unaware of how quickly large language models could transform the world.

Mr. Trump is "in the place that everybody else is in, where at first you're like, 'Isn't this just like the technologies of the past?'" Gates told CBS Mornings co-hosts Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell on Monday in response to Mr. Trump's recent contention that claims that AI could inflict serious harm on people are a "hoax."

Gates added, "If he wants to get credit for helping the entire world, the AI topic is his best bet. The leader that brings people together there will deserve positive recognition."

Gates stressed that AI has the potential to improve lives, but it also could be misused to engage in bioterrorism, financial hacks and other destructive acts.

In recent weeks, a debate over AI's potential harms has consumed the technology industry, prompting AI leaders, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, to propose slowing its development.

"Most of society is still not aware of…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/