In a fast-paced, evolving world like ours, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates predicted that artificial intelligence (AI) will take humans’ place in completing conventional tasks such as medicine and teaching.
He also predicted that this transition would take place in less than 10 years for “most things” during a recent interview with comedian Jimmy Fallon on NBC’s The Tonight Show.
What is currently hindering this shift
Gates believes that for the time being, expertise in fields like medicine and education remains “rare,” as these areas still depend on the human element present in “a great doctor” or “a great teacher.”
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The billionaire philanthropist, however, also thinks that medicine and tutoring will become free and readily available in the future due to AI.
The world will be entering a new era
Gates foresees a new era of what he called “free intelligence” during an interview with Arthur Brooks, a Harvard University professor and happiness expert.
The aftermath of this era is rapid advancements in AI-powered technologies, making it accessible and involved in our everyday lives.
It can be “scary”
“It’s very profound and even a little bit scary — because it’s happening very quickly, and there is no upper bound,” Gates told Brooks.
Gates even predicted that medicines would be improved, diagnoses would be easily attainable as well as AI tutors and virtual assistants.
How do humans fit into the equation?
Opinions have varied as some experts believe that AI will help make humans more efficient at work, positively impacting the economy and creating more job openings.
Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman begs to differ, however, as these advancements will entirely change what most jobs look like, which can leave a “hugely destabilizing” impact on the workforce.
How AI can replace humans
“These tools will only temporarily augment human intelligence. They will make us smarter and more efficient for a time, and will unlock enormous amounts of economic growth, but they are fundamentally labor replacing,” Suleyman wrote in his 2023 book, The Coming Wave.
Gates is optimistic
While voicing his concerns about the presence of errors, Gates said he felt optimistic about AI and where it’s headed. Furthermore, if he were to open a new startup, it would have been an AI-focused venture.
“I’m encouraging young people at Microsoft, OpenAI, wherever I find them: ‘Hey, here’s the frontier.’ Because you’re taking a fresher look at this than I am, and that’s your fantastic opportunity.” he told CNBC‘s Make It last September.
