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The multi-billionaire said he finds AI “both wondrous and a little bit scary – but also pointed out the benefits of AI such as helping people access medical care and education
Bill Gates ranks the threat posed by artificial intelligence alongside nuclear war and bio-terrorism.
The multi-billionaire said he finds AI “both wondrous and a little bit scary”. He said: “We have had nuclear weapons for a very long time, so far so good, we have bio-terrorism and it’s possible non-nation states can access those things and we have AI.”
Gates, 68, is grandfather to 18-month year-old Leila and has another grandchild on the way. He said he is “quite optimistic” for her future, explaining : “If you look at the human condition today versus 50 years ago. I’d rather be a gay person today, I’d rather be a woman today, I’d rather live in Africa today. I’d rather get cancer today.
“We’ve made a lot of progress. [But] there are four footnotes: climate change, nuclear weapons, bio-terrorism and AI.”
Mr Gates pointed out the benefits of AI such as helping people access medical care and education. He said it has also accelerated medical discoveries but added: “We are going to have to adjust to a lot of things… even I find the pace in AI wondrous and a little bit scary.”
