Washington Technology

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that if artificial intelligence development goes wrong, it could lead to as many as a billion deaths, according to a Washington Post report. Gates, who has been one of AI's most prominent backers while also urging caution about its risks, framed the stakes of getting the technology's development and control wrong in starkly human terms.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson says a meeting between President Trump and leading technology chief executives will focus on finding balance in the government's approach to artificial intelligence. The talks are expected to weigh innovation and commercial interests against safety and regulatory concerns, as Washington comes under pressure to set a clearer national direction on AI.

Former President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson are set to meet with technology CEOs to discuss the risks posed by artificial intelligence. The talks come as Washington weighs how to regulate rapidly advancing AI systems, with major tech leaders increasingly drawn into policy debates over safety, competition and national security.

US Congressman Ro Khanna is preparing to introduce an AI safety bill that would ban 'recursive' artificial intelligence development until adequate safeguards are in place. The proposal targets self-improving AI systems, reflecting growing concern in Washington over advanced AI risks and the lack of regulatory frameworks governing frontier technology.

US lawmakers are weighing a series of proposals aimed at securing artificial intelligence systems and protecting them from misuse. The measures under consideration in Congress would address security risks posed by rapidly advancing AI technology, though details of the specific bills and their prospects remain limited.

Executives from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and Meta are set to attend a meeting at the White House to discuss artificial intelligence policy. The gathering brings together the leaders of the biggest AI developers with US government officials, underscoring Washington's growing focus on regulating and managing the risks of rapidly advancing AI technology.

A former Pentagon official said the United States needs to control China's access to advanced semiconductor technology, in comments carried by CNBC. The remarks feed into an ongoing debate in Washington over export controls on cutting-edge chips and chipmaking equipment, which US officials view as critical to maintaining a military and technological edge over Beijing.

Analysts argue the ongoing war is acting as a catalyst for Gulf states to deepen strategic technology cooperation with the United States, particularly around artificial intelligence. The Middle East Institute highlights how regional capitals are leveraging the conflict to secure AI partnerships, investment and advanced computing access, positioning themselves as indispensable tech intermediaries between Washington and the wider Middle East.

China is reportedly relying on American-made AI chips even as it follows its long-standing 'hide strength and bide time' strategy of concealing its technological capabilities. The report highlights the tension between Beijing's push for semiconductor self-sufficiency and its continued dependence on U.S. processors to power artificial intelligence development, a dependence Washington has repeatedly tried to exploit through export controls.

365 Retail Markets and Evergreen Refreshments have installed Amazon's Just Walk Out technology at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, letting students and staff grab items and leave without checkout lines. The deployment is an announcement from the companies, and there is no indication yet of reaction or discussion beyond the press release itself.