Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence could usher in one of the most disruptive periods in human history, saying governments and businesses have yet to develop a credible plan to manage its impact.
In a nearly 6,000-word essay published on his blog, Gates said AI could either become a powerful tool for reducing inequality or create unprecedented levels of injustice.
Gates identified three major risks from the rapid adoption of AI, beginning with widespread and potentially permanent job losses. He said AI could replace human cognitive work in sectors including law, medicine, customer service, software development and manufacturing within the next decade.
He warned that entry-level and mid-career positions were particularly vulnerable, potentially leaving young workers with fewer employment opportunities. Blue-collar jobs could also come under pressure as robots become cheaper, affecting industries such as construction and hospitality later this decade.
Gates suggested that governments and employers may need to preserve certain jobs for humans even where AI could perform the work more efficiently and cheaply.
He identified cybersecurity as another major concern, warning that malicious actors were gaining new capabilities faster than defenders could address vulnerabilities. Hospitals, banks, water networks and power grids could all face increased risks, he said.
Gates also raised concerns about AI’s impact on children and human relationships. Citing research, he warned that chatbots designed to constantly please users could become addictive and limit opportunities for people to develop essential social skills.
Gates acknowledged his continuing financial interests in the technology sector, noting that investment returns will benefit his foundation, which plans to spend about $200 billion over the next two decades.
The essay comes months after Gates appeared before the US House Oversight Committee over his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Gates told lawmakers in June that the relationship had been “a grave error in judgment.”
