According to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, advancements in artificial intelligence will render humans unnecessary “for most things” within the next 10 years, CNBC reported March 26.
Speaking on NBC’s The Tonight Show in February, Mr. Gates predicted AI would eliminate the scarcity of expertise in fields such as medicine and education.
At the moment, expertise remains “rare,” he told host Jimmy Fallon, referencing the reliance on “a great doctor” or “a great teacher.” But AI will change that landscape.
“With AI, over the next decade, that will become free, commonplace — great medical advice, great tutoring,” Mr. Gates said.
Mr. Gates has long championed AI’s potential to transform industries, particularly healthcare. He has pointed to AI-powered advancements in medicine, from improved diagnostics to breakthrough treatments. In a recent interview with Harvard University professor Arthur Brooks, Mr. Gates described the emergence of what he calls “free intelligence,” a shift that will make sophisticated AI-driven tools available to the masses.
While acknowledging AI’s rapid development as “very profound and even a little bit scary,” Mr. Gates remains optimistic about its benefits. He has highlighted AI’s ability to revolutionize healthcare by addressing global disparities in access to medical expertise.
However, the debate over AI’s role in the workforce continues. Some experts believe AI will complement human labor, making jobs more efficient rather than replacing them entirely. Others, including Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, argue that AI’s evolution will have a disruptive impact, transforming nearly every industry.
Mr. Gates, for his part, sees AI as a tool for progress rather than a threat.
“There will be some things we reserve for ourselves,” he said, noting that while AI will reshape many industries, certain human activities will remain irreplaceable.
