Bill Gates, the billionaire philanthropist, believes that while technology will not replace humans, it may enable a three-day work week. The billionaire expressed his thoughts on the podcast ‘What Now’ with South African comedian and writer Trevor Noah.
According to the 68-year-old Microsoft cofounder, AI will not take jobs but rather “change it forever.” During the 45-minute meeting, the billionaire discussed how artificial intelligence and technology may improve people’s lives.
When asked about the threat of artificial intelligence to jobs, Mr Gates stated that there may come a time when people “don’t have to work so hard.”
Mr Gates said, “If you eventually get a society where you only have to work three days a week, that’s probably OK.”
He even said there could exist a world where “machines can make all the food and the stuff.”
Bill Gates discusses AI risks and opportunities
In earlier interviews and blogs, the billionaire has emphasized both the hazards and the positives of AI. In July, he spoke on the dangers of artificial intelligence.
“I don’t think AI’s impact will be as dramatic as the Industrial Revolution, but it certainly will be as big as the introduction of the PC. Word processing applications didn’t do away with office work, but they changed it forever,” Mr Gates said at the time. “Employers and employees had to adapt, and they did.”
He also pointed out the risks of AI, including “misinformation and deepfakes, security threats, changes to the job market, and the impact on education.”
“This is not the first time a new technology has caused a big shift in the labour market. I don’t think AI’s impact will be as dramatic as the Industrial Revolution, but it certainly will be as big as the introduction of the PC,” he wrote.
“Another thing that’s clear to me is that the future of AI is not as grim as some people think or as rosy as others think. The risks are real, but I am optimistic that they can be managed,” he added.