Bangladesh, Aug. 28 -- Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has acknowledged that his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was a serious mistake, but he insists that the controversy should not be allowed to define his public record or discredit his warnings about the risks posed by artificial intelligence and emerging global threats.

In an interview with Axios on August 27, Gates addressed the reputational damage caused by his dealings with Epstein and argued that his current views should be evaluated on their substance rather than through the lens of his past mistakes.

“I made mistakes. Ive changed,” Gates said, maintaining that his record should ultimately speak for itself.

The billionaire has faced sus...