Bill Gates seeks meeting with Xi Jinping to discuss AI policy and international oversight

Bill Gates is angling for a sit-down with Chinese President Xi Jinping, tentatively planned for November 2026, to talk about something that keeps him up at night: the possibility that AI systems could do real damage before anyone agrees on rules to stop them. The meeting, if it happens, would center on international cooperation around AI risks, particularly the management of dangerous AI model releases. Gates has expressed a belief that China would support restrictions on such technologies if the United States moves first. From optimism to alarm bells Gates laid out his thinking in an interview published on August 26, 2026, where he stressed the need for systematic monitoring of AI capabilities. He was careful to frame these measures as guardrails rather than roadblocks, arguing they would not stifle technological progress. Alongside the interview, Gates published a blog post calling for a new international organization to oversee AI development. The proposed body would draw inspiration from frameworks already in place for nuclear safety and environmental protection. This represents a notable evolution in Gates’s public stance on AI. During his previous meeting with Xi in June 2023...