In a recent episode of Trevor Noah’s “What Now?” podcast, Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, shared his perspective on the intersection of technology and work. When questioned about the potential threat of artificial intelligence to jobs, Gates expressed optimism, foreseeing a future where technology liberates labor for more meaningful pursuits.
“The purpose of life is not just to do jobs. So if you eventually get a society where you only have to work three days a week or something, that’s probably OK,” Gates stated.
He painted a vision where machines handle essential tasks, diminishing the demand for strenuous human labor. Drawing parallels with generational shifts in labor, Gates highlighted the evolution from a grandfather who considered farming the sole legitimate occupation to a father engaged in diverse work. Notably, today only 2% of Americans are involved in farming, signifying a departure from traditional views.
Gates suggested that with a reasonable pace of technological advancements and supportive government policies, this shift could be positive. Emphasizing the importance of aiding individuals in acquiring new skills for a smooth transition, he remarked, “Software makes things more productive. But eventually, if you free up human labor, you can help elder people better, have small class sizes. You know, the demand for labor to do good things is still there if you match the skills to it.”
In a blog post titled “The Age of AI has begun” in March, Gates conveyed his confidence in AI-driven software’s potential to revolutionize education. He commended the creation of ChatGPT as a groundbreaking technological showcase, drawing parallels to his introduction to the graphical user interface in the 1980s.
Inspired by his initial encounter with the GPT model, Gates has been contemplating AI’s potential over the next decade. He stressed the need for these AI-driven tools to be accessible to low-income countries and marginalized communities.
