Bill Gates called for legally required monitoring of powerful artificial intelligence systems, saying a shutdown mechanism by itself would not prevent people from using AI to cause harm. In an interview broadcast Sunday, Sept. 27, on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the Microsoft co-founder said companies should track how sophisticated models are used and retain records of their activity. Those measures, he argued, could help guard against risks including cyberattacks and bioterrorism. Gates said the more immediate concern is people misusing AI, rather than systems acting independently. He also said voluntary safeguards by technology companies are insufficient and that the United States should ensure monitoring is in place. His comments come amid a Senate dispute over how to regulate AI. On Sept. 16, Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, blocked an effort by Sen. John Neely Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, to pass legislation quickly requiring AI companies to build a “kill switch” into their models. Paul sought to amend the proposal to create a group that would recommend AI safeguards to the Senate Commerce Committee. Kennedy rejected that approach, and the bill did not advance. Gates said he was not opposed to a kill switch, but questioned whether it addresses the most pressing risks. He said current AI systems cannot independently seize control of computers and evade shutdown, while warning that malicious users can still exploit the technology. He urged lawmakers to require safeguards and monitoring rather than rely on companies to police themselves.