Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has said that the world should consider slowing the advance of artificial intelligence (AI) if it gives society more time to prepare for the changes the technology could bring.

According to a NDTV press release, in an exclusive interview with NDTV’s Vishnu Som, Gates said AI is different from earlier technologies such as personal computers and the internet.

He said the speed and wide impact of AI could make it difficult for society, institutions and regulators to prepare for the changes.

“AI is a very unique technology”, Gates said, adding that people should not assume that the impact of AI will be as easy to manage as previous technologies.

Gates said that slowing the pace of AI could give society more time to understand the technology and prepare for its effects. He said that although he has supported innovation throughout his career, AI could bring changes on such a large scale that society may not yet be ready for them.

The interview also focused on the risks linked to AI. Gates said cybersecurity is one of the immediate concerns because AI tools could make cyberattacks more powerful.

He added that defensive capabilities will also need to improve quickly to deal with these threats.

Gates also spoke about the challenge of keeping advanced AI systems under human control. He said he earlier considered this issue to be something that would become important much later, but recent developments in AI have made the concern more immediate.

At the same time, Gates highlighted the positive uses of AI, especially in areas such as healthcare and development.

He also pointed to India as an example of how AI could be used rapidly for social and development benefits.

The interview was linked to the Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers Report and discussed how society and institutions can prepare for the rapid growth of AI while making use of its potential benefits.