Bill Gates warns AI could destroy jobs within a decade

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned in a nearly 6,000-word essay that artificial intelligence poses a significant risk to the world, potentially destroying jobs and threatening human connection within a decade. In his essay published on his blog, Gates expressed deep concern about the rapid deployment of AI technology, stating it will be one of the most turbulent periods in human history.

He claimed no credible plan has been proposed to manage this shift, drawing criticism from some in Silicon Valley and the Trump administration who argue tech leaders' doomsday attitudes have tarnished AI's reputation.

Gates identified three main risks arising from the fast deployment of AI. First, he warned of permanent job destruction, stating that AI can substitute for thinking itself and would likely replace workers in various fields within a decade, leaving young people with far fewer job openings. Second, AI could provide new capabilities to bad actors, posing significant cybersecurity risks.

Third, AI could negatively impact human relationships, as chatbots risk becoming addictive and denying people the chance to build social skills.

Despite retaining deep financial ties to the technology industry, Gates acknowledged the job threats and rogue bots issues, suggesting some jobs should be set aside for humans even if AI can do them more efficiently and cheaply. He called for a universal income as a potential solution to ease the entry into the AI era, though he doubted such a plan would materialize due to geopolitical and economic incentives pushing for faster adoption.