Bill Gates has warned that governments around the world are failing to keep pace with the rapid development of AI, saying policymakers are not prepared for the changes the technology could bring to society.

Speaking to Reuters, the Microsoft co-founder said governments needed to do considerably more to understand and prepare for AI’s potential impact as concerns grow around the world over jobs, cybersecurity and the social impact of the technology.

“I don’t think any government is nearly as deep on this as they have to be,” Gates said, adding that governments were “way behind” the technology. 

Gates highlighted several areas of concern, including disruption to employment, cybersecurity threats and the possibility that people could become increasingly dependent on AI companions.

His comments come as governments and businesses worldwide continue to grapple with how quickly AI is advancing. Meanwhile policymakers attempt to establish appropriate safeguards without restricting the potential economic and social benefits of the burgeoning technology.

The issues raised by Gates are particularly relevant as organisations across a range of industries are accelerating their adoption of generative AI and automated systems. The technology is increasingly being explored in functions that range from customer service and software development to healthcare, education and agriculture.

Gates does, however, remain optimistic about AI’s potential when it is used fairly and responsibly. He points to ways the technology could help improve living standards in developing countries and how it has the potential to narrow the gap between richer and poorer populations, if access is distributed fairly.

The Gates Foundation recently announced plans to commit at least US$1 billion over the next two years towards expanding access to AI. The funding will support work in healthcare, education and agriculture, as well as efforts to improve the data used to train AI systems so they can work effectively across different languages. 

In particular, Gates named healthcare as an area where AI could deliver significant benefits, including supporting frontline healthcare workers and helping researchers develop new medicines and vaccines.

At the same time, he argued that governments need to cooperate on an international level to address the technology’s risks and used a disaster movie scenario, in which countries work together against a common threat, as an example. 

Gates said he has discussed his concerns with US President Donald Trump and his administration and plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.

Gates’s warning comes amid much debate, and alarm, over the pace of AI’s development and what action government should be taking in the face of the rapidly evolving technology, with technology leaders themselves also raising their concerns about AI safety, employment disruption and the need for greater oversight.