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Governments worldwide are way behind on AI, says Bill Gates

Governments worldwide are unprepared for the rapid societal changes driven by artificial intelligence, according to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. To address widening inequality risks, the Gates Foundation has pledged at least $1 billion over the next two years to expand AI access and boost global health, agriculture, and education. Meanwhile, international bodies and officials met in Riyadh for the Fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence to urge stronger cross-border cooperation on AI ethics. Separately, smaller device manufacturers face a prolonged memory shortage.

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  • ✓ Governments worldwide are way behind on artificial intelligence and are not prepared for sweeping societal changes, according to Bill Gates.
  • ✓ The Gates Foundation pledged at least $1 billion to expand AI access and boost global health, agriculture, and education over the next two years.
  • ✓ Saudi Arabia hosted the Fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Riyadh from September 14 to 17, 2026.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 11 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

The Gates Foundation pledged at least $1 billion over two years to expand AI access globally while warning that governments are falling behind.

Live updates

  1. Governments Way Behind on AI, Warns Bill Gates

    Governments worldwide are unprepared for the rapid societal changes driven by artificial intelligence, according to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. To address widening inequality risks, the Gates Foundation has pledged at least $1 billion over the next two years to expand AI access and boost global health, agriculture, and education. Meanwhile, international bodies and officials met in Riyadh for the Fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence to urge stronger cross-border cooperation on AI ethics. Separately, smaller device manufacturers face a prolonged memory shortage.

    Why it matters

    Bill Gates issued his warnings on artificial intelligence preparedness while committing substantial philanthropic capital to ensure lower-income regions are not left behind as the technology evolves. The announcements coincide with high-level international meetings in Riyadh, where representatives from more than sixty nations discussed ethical frameworks and cooperation. These developments highlight a growing urgency among both private foundations and international regulators to steer AI development safely and equitably.

    What is confirmed

    • Governments worldwide are way behind on artificial intelligence and are not prepared for sweeping societal changes, according to Bill Gates.
    • The Gates Foundation pledged at least $1 billion to expand AI access and boost global health, agriculture, and education over the next two years.
    • Saudi Arabia hosted the Fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Riyadh from September 14 to 17, 2026.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Independent phone and laptop makers expect a severe memory shortage to last through 2027, squeezing the lower end of the device market.

    What to watch next

    • Implementation of the joint international statement on AI ethics issued in Riyadh
    • Deployment of the Gates Foundation's $1 billion AI access investment over the next two years
    Sources used for this update (11)
    1. Reuters — Governments worldwide are way behind on AI, says Bill Gates
    2. 10TV — Gates Foundation warns AI could widen inequality as foundation pledges $1B to expand access
    3. GeekWire — Gates Foundation bets $1B on AI to boost global health, agriculture and education
    4. The Next Web — The Gates Foundation will spend at least $1bn on AI access over the next two years
    5. GuruFocus — Gates Warns on AI Risks While Pledging $1 Billion Investment
    6. Bloomberg.com — Bill Gates Urges AI Equity as Foundation Pledges $1 Billion
    7. Yahoo — Gates Foundation targets improved AI access with $1 billion pledge
    8. thenationalnews.com — Gates Foundation praises UAE's AI approach and agricultural tech ambition
    9. english.aawsat.com — Saudi Arabia, UNESCO, ICAIRE Call for Stronger International Cooperation on AI Ethics
    10. www.rttnews.com — Bill Gates Warns Governments Are 'Way Behind' On Artificial Intelligence
    11. english.aawsat.com — Smaller Phone and Laptop Makers Dig in for Years of Memory Scarcity
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