Bill Gates warns artificial intelligence will bring 20 years of economic turmoil

Bill Gates warned that artificial intelligence could trigger two decades of economic and social upheaval, disrupting jobs and life even in the best-case scenario. In an interview with the Decoder podcast, the Microsoft co-founder, who built the software giant into a global tech titan, said the transition to an AI-driven economy would create winners and losers.

"My big concern is this 20-year transition period, where they'll have winners and losers and a lot of disruption," said Bill Gates, 70, adding that society would have to navigate the turmoil before potentially entering an era of abundance. According to The Express Tribune, he described the timeframe as an estimate rather than a firm prediction, acknowledging that it could be shorter or longer depending on technological advances.

Bill Gates said advances in AI and humanoid robotics could eventually allow machines to perform much of the physical labor carried out by humans, including building homes, growing food, and performing surgery. While the advances could reduce shortages of goods and services, he suggested societies might deliberately reserve certain activities for humans, including childcare, food preparation, arts, and sports.

The billionaire philanthropist also highlighted AI's potential benefits in healthcare and agriculture but warned that governments and society are not adequately prepared for its rapid development. He urged stronger government oversight and technical safeguards against cyberattacks and biological threats, arguing that AI companies alone cannot be responsible for managing the risks.

Bill Gates also warned that even under the most favorable circumstances, AI's development could bring one of the most tumultuous periods in human history. "I hate being the bearer of concerning news on this, but it's even worse not to tell people that this is coming," he said. Keep an eye on how software changes your office tools.

Photo: Bogdan Hoyaux / European Union, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, AI-edited