AI COULD MAKE MANY JOBS DISAPPEAR FOREVER, BILL GATES WARNS

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that artificial intelligence could permanently eliminate many jobs as the technology rapidly transforms workplaces and economies around the world.

Gates issued the warning in a new essay examining the opportunities and risks associated with the rapid development of AI. He said the technology was advancing at a pace that was leaving governments and societies with limited time to prepare for major changes in employment.

He argued that AI and robotics would affect both white-collar and blue-collar workers, potentially reducing the need for human labour across a growing number of industries.

Gates said society should consider creating what he called “human-reserved” jobs, where certain roles would remain primarily for people even when AI could technically perform some of the tasks.

He cited healthcare as an area where human involvement would remain particularly important because patients require empathy, compassion and personal understanding in sensitive situations.

Gates also suggested that some workers could require temporary protection from automation, particularly those who may find it difficult to transition into completely different careers.

Beyond employment, he warned that AI would have implications for education, taxation, public health, national security, transportation, elections and other areas of society.

He also raised concerns about AI-enabled crime and the potential for the technology to make sophisticated cyberattacks, fraud and other harmful activities easier to carry out.

Gates called for governments to develop stronger institutions and policies to manage the technology's impact. He also suggested that taxation systems may need to change as companies increasingly replace human labour with AI systems and robots.

Despite his concerns, Gates said AI could become a major force for improving healthcare, education and productivity if its development was properly managed.

He urged governments and technology leaders to begin preparing immediately, arguing that waiting until large-scale job displacement occurs could make it much harder to manage the social and economic consequences.

The warning adds to the growing global debate over how governments, businesses and workers should prepare for an AI-driven transformation of the labour market.