WATCH: GOP senators skeptical of Bill Gates’ ‘fearmongering’ AI warning as Dems sound alarm

What happened: Senators split over Bill Gates' warning on NBC's "Meet the Press" that AI could lead to "a billion deaths." John Cornyn called it "fearmongering," while Angus King and Elizabeth Warren urged safeguards. Why it matters: Cornyn said the warning risks fueling regulation that could benefit a handful of prime AI companies and crowd out competitors. King said industry competition makes voluntary slowdowns unlikely. Key numbers: Gates made the claim last week. King referenced warnings of a 10 percent chance of wiping out humanity.

Senators split over Bill Gates' warning on NBC's "Meet the Press" that AI could lead to "a billion deaths." John Cornyn called it "fearmongering," while Angus King and Elizabeth Warren urged safeguards.

Cornyn said the warning risks fueling regulation that could benefit a handful of prime AI companies and crowd out competitors. King said industry competition makes voluntary slowdowns unlikely. Key numbers: Gates made the claim last week. King referenced warnings of a 10 percent chance of wiping out humanity.