New York, Sept. 24 -- The decisions taken on artificial intelligence (AI) over the next 12 to 18 months will play a major role in determining who benefits from the technology in the years ahead, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said in an exclusive interview with ANI, while stressing the need for local-language AI, Indian data, safety and homegrown talent.

"None of this can wait. The decisions made in the next 12 to 18 months will shape who benefits-and who doesn't-for years to come," Gates said.

Gates said AI was unlike previous technologies and that its risks and benefits would depend on how it is developed and used.

"AI is like nothing we have seen before. I've written about the risks, which we all need to take seriously. But two thi...