Gates Calls for Action on Job Losses and Rising AI Risks
Technology
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that the rapid development of artificial intelligence could bring sweeping changes to the labour market within the next decade. As one possible response, he has proposed designating certain areas of work that should remain exclusively in human hands.
In a new article published on Gates Notes, Gates said AI could affect a broad range of professions rather than a limited number of industries, including law, customer service, medicine, software development and manufacturing. He argued that the transition could unfold far more rapidly than previous transformations of the labour market, with some jobs potentially disappearing permanently.
Gates calls the idea of preserving certain types of work exclusively for people “Human Reserved.” In his view, such boundaries could be necessary both to protect employment and to preserve areas where human involvement is fundamentally important.
He referred to the care provided to his father, who died from Alzheimer's disease in 2020. Gates said the professional caregivers who looked after him provided something that was “irreplaceably human.” He also argued that while a robot might technically be capable of informing a patient that they have an incurable disease, it should not perform that role.
Gates also identified broader risks associated with AI. He warned that the technology could expand the capabilities of malicious actors, make dangerous biological threats easier to develop and lower the barriers to cyberattacks. Autonomous systems could also increase governments' ability to use lethal force without a human taking part in the decision.
He further highlighted AI-enabled fraud, disinformation, mass surveillance and the manipulation of public opinion as potential threats.
Gates called for governments to prepare support mechanisms in advance for workers who may lose their jobs to automation. He also reiterated his proposal to tax robots and AI-based tools, with the additional revenue potentially supporting worker retraining and stronger social safety nets.
“AI will either be the greatest equalizer ever invented, or the worst source of injustice,” Gates wrote.
Gates calls the idea of preserving certain types of work exclusively for people “Human Reserved.” In his view, such boundaries could be necessary both to protect employment and to preserve areas where human involvement is fundamentally important.
He referred to the care provided to his father, who died from Alzheimer's disease in 2020. Gates said the professional caregivers who looked after him provided something that was “irreplaceably human.” He also argued that while a robot might technically be capable of informing a patient that they have an incurable disease, it should not perform that role.
Gates also identified broader risks associated with AI. He warned that the technology could expand the capabilities of malicious actors, make dangerous biological threats easier to develop and lower the barriers to cyberattacks. Autonomous systems could also increase governments' ability to use lethal force without a human taking part in the decision.
He further highlighted AI-enabled fraud, disinformation, mass surveillance and the manipulation of public opinion as potential threats.
Gates called for governments to prepare support mechanisms in advance for workers who may lose their jobs to automation. He also reiterated his proposal to tax robots and AI-based tools, with the additional revenue potentially supporting worker retraining and stronger social safety nets.
“AI will either be the greatest equalizer ever invented, or the worst source of injustice,” Gates wrote.
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