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Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has backed the notion that traditional employment structures could become obsolete as artificial intelligence (AI) advances, reducing the need for human labor in many industries.
He argues that jobs exist largely as an "artefact of the shortage”, a product of historical labor scarcity, rather than an inherent necessity.
Speaking at an event in India, Gates urged people to rethink the role of work in their lives.
"As you move away from human-driven action being a necessity, you get a lot more leisure time, and it becomes almost a philosophical question - a matter of purpose," he said.
He added that as AI becomes more capable, individuals and businesses will have to adjust their mindset around work and productivity.
“People who have grown up in a world of scarcity will have to rethink things. Today, we can choose whether a machine or a human performs a task. It’s difficult to reprogramme your brain to this shift,” he added.
During a separate conversation with comedian Jimmy Fallon on NBC’s The Tonight Show, Gates went further, predicting that AI will eliminate the need for humans in most jobs within the next decade.
Currently, expertise remains rare, requiring specialists in fields such as medicine and education. But he believes AI will soon make high-quality medical advice and tutoring "free" and widely available, marking the rise of what he calls "free intelligence."
AI’s potential to disrupt the workforce
The rapid evolution of AI is sparking debate among experts about its long-term implications for employment. Some argue that AI will augment human capabilities and lead to the creation of new roles, while others warn of widespread disruption.
Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, for example, has described AI’s impact on employment as "hugely destabilizing." In his book The Coming Wave, he suggests that AI-driven tools will only temporarily enhance human intelligence before ultimately replacing many forms of labor.
Gates acknowledges those concerns but remains optimistic about AI’s potential benefits. In a 2023 blog post, he highlighted the technology’s role in tackling major global challenges, from developing breakthrough medical treatments to combating climate change and expanding access to quality education.
While some industries may retain human-driven roles, such as sports and creative arts, Gates envisions a future where manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture are largely automated.
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"In terms of making things and moving things and growing food, over time those will be basically solved problems," he said.
AI as a ‘fantastic opportunity’
Gates has continually championed AI as a transformative force, calling its recent breakthroughs the "most important advance in technology since the graphical user interface."
In a 2017 discussion with Warren Buffett, he identified AI as the field he would focus on if he were starting a business today.
He has continued to encourage young entrepreneurs to explore AI’s potential.
"If I had to start a company, it would be an AI-centric startup," he told CNBC in 2024, noting that investors are eager to back AI ventures. "Today, somebody could raise billions of dollars for a new AI company [with just] a few sketch ideas."
As AI accelerates, Gates acknowledges the need for careful management to address risks such as misinformation and ethical concerns, but remains confident that AI’s long-term impact will be overwhelmingly positive, offering what he describes as a "fantastic opportunity" to redefine work and productivity in the years ahead.
