In a new article published Wednesday, August 26, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates warned that the world is unprepared to face the major risks that artificial intelligence brings.
Gates expressed deep concern about the tremendous acceleration in the development of artificial intelligence technologies, warning that this technology is advancing at a much faster pace than governments and societies can prepare for its consequences.
He pointed to three main threats: job losses, the empowerment of criminals, and a negative impact on children's growth and social development.
In an article he shared with Fortune magazine, Gates wrote, "Artificial intelligence will either be the greatest equalizer of all time, or the worst source of injustice. The challenge is immense." He stressed that the world's "top priority" must be ensuring AI is used as a force for good, but added, "Unfortunately, we are not preparing for this right now. I see no evidence that leaders, experts, and societies are adequately addressing the challenges. There is no plan to facilitate entry into the age of AI."
Job disappearance
Gates warned that many jobs will disappear forever, with particular concern for young people who will see entry-level positions increasingly vanish. Jobs that will be affected include customer support, software engineering, and legal work, while the construction and hospitality industries will see a shift toward robotics by the end of the decade.
Enabling criminals
This will be possible through AI-powered fraud, disinformation, deepfakes, or surveillance.
Gates warns that artificial intelligence means that "even criminals with very limited skills will be able to target victims at every level: individuals, businesses, and governments." He adds, "The same is true for bioterrorism. While AI will lead to life-saving advances in medicines and vaccines, it will also make it easier to design a new, deadly disease."
Negative impact on children's development
Gates, a father of three, fears that "artificial intelligence could hinder our children's development and replace human relationships."
He explains that as a child, he worked hard to develop social skills and make friends, but he doubts he would have made the same effort if he had had an AI companion at the time, adding: "These systems talk to you in a reassuring way, they don't push you out of your comfort zone, they remain available at any time and don't show any annoyance with you. This is exactly what makes them so addictive, and what deprives us of the valuable lessons that we only gain through real human interaction, with its flaws and challenges."
In his article, Gates pointed out that artificial intelligence is not limited to negative aspects; it also offers numerous benefits, including in healthcare, education, and agriculture. It can simplify citizens' lives and increase the efficiency of government institutions. He explained that families often face difficulties in navigating the application process for assistance, whether related to education, health, or food, and that artificial intelligence can significantly streamline these processes.
He concludes by saying that the benefits "when multiplied across millions of lives, will be profound: more people getting good advice when they need it, and having greater freedom to focus on the life they want to build."
