Bill Gates calls for some jobs to be ‘Human Reserved,’ suggests taxing AI tokens and robots — billionaire says that ‘AI era will be one of the most turbulent times in human history’
The billionaire philanthropist penned a 6,000-word essay raising the societal risks that AI bring and his proposed solutions to protect the average person.
Bill Gates has called for reserving certain jobs for humans and suggested taxing AI tokens and robots, warning that the AI era will be one of the most turbulent times in human history. In his latest post on the GatesNotes blog, the billionaire argued that nations and governments are not doing enough to prepare their citizens for the impending changes brought about by AI technology.
Gates emphasized that while other technological advancements, such as computers and the internet, allowed people decades to adapt, AI is already widely available today. He pointed out that AI poses risks, including job loss, misuse by malicious actors, and the erosion of human relationships, particularly among children.
The former Microsoft chairperson highlighted that entry-level jobs have significantly declined, making it difficult for recent graduates to gain experience and enhance their skills. He acknowledged the need for time to adjust but warned that it might be too late for some unless intervention occurs. Gates specifically mentioned the plight of workers who have been replaced by bots or by robots that perform tasks at lower wages, such as accounting workers and laborers earning $20 an hour.
To address these concerns, Gates proposed that some jobs should be designated as "Human Reserved," akin to nature reserves. These jobs would evolve gradually as AI tools are introduced over longer periods. He stressed the importance of this approach for industries where workers would be displaced by AI and would struggle to transition to new skills, citing a construction worker in their 50s as an example who cannot easily shift to healthcare.
Gates also noted that the decline in human employment would lead to reduced individual income taxes, which account for over half of the U.S. federal revenue in 2025 and 2026. He suggested that the government should tax AI tokens and robots, not only to bolster the government's financial situation but also to incentivize businesses to prioritize human employment over automation.
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