Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has warned that no government in the world is fully prepared to deal with the major changes that artificial intelligence will bring to society.
In an interview with British news agency Reuters in London, Bill Gates said that governments are far behind when it comes to artificial intelligence and need to prepare more for the changes that this technology will bring.
Bill Gates said that he does not think any government in the world is working on artificial intelligence at the level that is required. However, he also stressed the vast potential of the technology, saying that if artificial intelligence is properly regulated and equal access to it is ensured, it could play an important role in helping the poorest people in the world.
It is worth noting that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates had until recently held a more optimistic position regarding artificial intelligence, but he has now shifted his focus towards some of the risks associated with the technology.
He warned about the risks posed to employment by artificial intelligence, concerns related to potential attacks, and the dangers of addiction to chatbots.
According to Bill Gates, he is speaking to leaders around the world about his concerns. He said that he has also discussed the matter with US President Donald Trump and his team, while he intends to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.
Potential of Artificial Intelligence for Poor Countries
Bill Gates and his foundation say that artificial intelligence can be used to try to reduce the gap between rich and poor countries, provided that access to the technology is made widespread and equal.
The foundation announced that it plans to spend at least $1 billion over the next two years to increase access to artificial intelligence.
This amount will be part of the foundation’s previously announced plan to spend $9 billion annually. The money will be provided to partner organisations working on the use of artificial intelligence in the fields of education, healthcare and agriculture.
The foundation will also help in developing the data infrastructure required for artificial intelligence. This includes efforts to ensure that large language models can work in all languages spoken around the world.
Role of AI in the Healthcare Sector
Bill Gates also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector. According to him, it is difficult even to exaggerate the potential of AI in healthcare.
He said that artificial intelligence can play an important role in the healthcare sector, from supporting frontline workers to the discovery of new medicines and vaccines. However, Bill Gates stressed that governments will have to work together to deal with the issues that may emerge with the spread of artificial intelligence.
He compared the arrival of artificial intelligence to a situation in which, like in a film, an extraordinary intelligence appears before the world and different countries have to work together to deal with it.
Bill Gates said that films often show that when creatures from another planet arrive on Earth, the United States, China and other countries come together to solve the problem. According to him, artificial intelligence is also, to some extent, a similar unfamiliar intelligence that now exists, and the world should work together in this situation.
Change in Bill Gates’ Position
Bill Gates’ current position on artificial intelligence is different from his relatively optimistic approach in the past. In recent times, he has expressed concerns about the potential negative effects of AI, particularly its impact on jobs, security and human behaviour.
He said that governments will have to take action more quickly than the pace at which artificial intelligence is developing so that as many people as possible can benefit from the technology and its potential harms can be reduced.
Position on Jeffrey Epstein Relationship
During the interview, Bill Gates was also asked about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Bill Gates testified before the US Congress in June regarding his relationship with Epstein. He is not facing any allegations of a crime and has repeatedly said that he regrets having a relationship with Epstein.
According to Gates, he had hoped that Epstein would provide donations for global health projects. However, he said that Epstein later tried to blackmail him by using matters related to his marital life as a basis.
Because of the relationship with Epstein, the Bill Gates Foundation also launched an external review. The review found no evidence that Epstein was paid by the foundation or that the foundation participated in criminal activities.
Bill Gates said that because of this relationship, neither his nor the foundation’s reputation has suffered any significant damage.