Bill Gates proposes ‘Human Reserved’ jobs, robot tax to manage AI disruption

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has proposed setting aside jobs exclusively for humans and taxing AI and robots to manage the disruption he expects artificial intelligence to cause in the labor market. Gates detailed his proposals in a lengthy essay titled "The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical," published on his Gates Notes website.

These measures form part of his recommendations for navigating the transition into an AI era that could fundamentally reshape how people work, earn income, and organize society.

Gates suggested that some jobs should be designated as "Human Reserved," meaning they are exclusively for human workers despite AI and robots becoming increasingly capable of performing tasks previously done by people. This concept was partly inspired by his experience caring for his father, who died of Alzheimer's disease in 2020.

His family valued the human touch of his caregivers, who understood and connected with his father in ways that machines could not replicate, Gates noted. He explained his reasoning for this approach, saying, "Something in the care they gave my dad was irreplaceably human. No robot could or should have done it."

The philanthropist believes that as AI and robotics advance, certain jobs should remain in human hands. He used the term "Human Reserved" to convey a similar sentiment to nature reserves, which are areas where human intervention is maintained despite the possibility of alterations. Gates explained, "I like the phrase Human Reserved because it makes me think of nature reserves—places where we could put buildings and roads, but we choose not to because the loss would be too great."

Gates identified economic and ethical factors in determining which jobs should be reserved for humans. For instance, in some cases, automation could displace large numbers of workers who might find it challenging to transition into new careers. He mentioned that while economic considerations play a role, other factors, such as the emotional impact of certain tasks in healthcare, also influence these decisions.

For example, the idea of a robot delivering bad news about an incurable disease was deemed inappropriate, despite the technical feasibility.

Gates emphasized that the nature of Human Reserved jobs would evolve over time, with a gradual blending of human and AI roles. He suggested that while some sectors, like education and mental healthcare, might require a human overseer leveraging technology to enhance their capabilities, others could transition more smoothly. The philanthropist acknowledged that the implementation of these measures would vary across countries based on unique circumstances.

For instance, Japan might embrace caregiving robots due to its aging population and shrinking workforce, while other nations might prioritize human care.

The proposal has sparked discussions about the decision-making process regarding which jobs are reserved for humans. Gates highlighted the need for public debate on who determines these reservations, the criteria for such decisions, and how to prevent companies from circumventing the rules. He addressed the potential impact on international trade, noting the challenges of harmonizing regulations among nations with differing approaches to technology adoption.

In addition to advocating for the reservation of certain jobs for humans, Gates reiterated his support for taxes on AI and robots. He argued that current tax systems often incentivize employers to replace human workers with machines by allowing robots to be written off as business expenses. Gates contended that implementing a tax on AI tokens and robots could slow down the replacement of human labor and generate funds for retraining programs and social support systems.

He recognized potential criticisms regarding the economic efficiency of such a tax but emphasized the broader social value of maintaining human employment. Gates concluded that while the proposal raises complex questions, these issues would need to be addressed through public discourse as part of the transition plan.