I used to hate Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, with a white-hot intensity. (I doubt he lost any sleep over it.) My beef was the virtual monopoly that his company had over most PC software. In the years since, however, Gates has transformed himself from vicious capitalist into world-changing philanthropist and I can’t continue to hold my grudge. (I am sure he feels better.)
Gates was in the news last week after publishing a long essay on the dangers of artificial intelligence. It’s an eye-opening missive, and his concerns mirror my own. (That probably made him more confident writing the piece.) I particularly appreciate his focus on the dangers posed by the way AI smooths wrinkles in our daily lives; economists call this inefficiency while psychologists call it growing pains or life lessons.
Gates’ message is simple. “Even under the best circumstances, the transition to this new AI era will be one of the most turbulent times in human history.” Getting this evolution right “should be the world’s top priority,” but he sees no “evidence that leaders, experts, and communities are confronting the challenges adequately.”
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