Over the next ten years, advancements in artificial intelligence will make human involvement unnecessary “for most things” in the world, with Bill Gates stating that AI will replace doctors and teachers.
Bill Gates says AI will replace doctors and teachers
The Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist shared this perspective with comedian Jimmy Fallon during a February interview on NBC’s The Tonight Show. Right now, expertise is still “rare,” Gates noted, referring to skilled professionals like “a great doctor” or “a great teacher” whom society continues to depend on.
However, he predicted that “with AI, over the next decade, that will become free, commonplace — great medical advice, great tutoring.”
In other words, the world is stepping into a new era of what Gates described as “free intelligence” during a recent conversation with Harvard University professor and happiness researcher Arthur Brooks. He has emphasized that AI-powered technologies will soon become widely available and influence nearly every part of life—from enhanced medical treatments and diagnoses to accessible AI tutors and virtual assistants.
“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.
The discussion about how humans will fit into this AI-driven future is ongoing. Some experts believe AI will enhance productivity rather than replace workers, ultimately leading to economic growth and the creation of new jobs.
Bill Gates Encourages Young Minds in AI
“Today, somebody could raise billions of dollars for a new AI company [that’s just] a few sketch ideas,” Bill Gates said in an interview with CNBC’s Make It last September.
He expressed his enthusiasm for the younger generation stepping into the field, stating: “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.”
For nearly a decade, Gates has recognized the transformative power of AI.
Gates has acknowledged that the rapid advancements in AI have exceeded even his own expectations.