Bill Gates Makes His Predictions For 2024, Expressing High Hopes For AI
By Mikelle Leow, 20 Dec 2023
Illustration 198696852 © Ahmad Safarudin | Dreamstime.com
Bill Gates has given artificial intelligence more than his seal of approval in a new blog post detailing his predictions for 2024 and beyond. Reflecting on the past year, the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist drew focus on the dramatic advancements in AI and their potential impacts on health, climate, and global development.
This year, Gates became a grandfather, which made him ponder even further on the potential of innovation, especially AI, in leveling the playing field for children worldwide.
“I’m thinking more about the world [my granddaughter] will inherit and what it will be like decades from now, when her generation is in charge,” Gates expresses. “I can begin to picture it: the tools she will use, the ways she will stay in touch with her loved ones, the problems these innovations will help solve.”
Eye on AI
Gates, reflecting on his personal milestones, including becoming a grandparent, highlights the role of AI in revolutionizing work and leisure. He notes the transformative power of AI in enhancing human rights and addressing global inequities, and that we’re just “at the beginning of this transition.”
“We now have a better sense of what types of jobs AI will be able to do by itself and which ones it will serve as a copilot for. And it’s clearer than ever how AI can be used to improve access to education, mental health, and more,” Gates elaborates.
“It motivates me to make sure this technology helps reduce—and doesn’t contribute to—the awful inequities we see around the world. I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of innovation to offer every child an equal chance to survive and thrive. AI is no exception.”
Image generated on AI
The tech mogul draws parallels between the advent of the internet and the current stage of AI development, acknowledging the current excitement and apprehension surrounding AI’s capabilities and applications. Empathizing with the initial discomfort with new innovations, Gates confesses he habitually stuck with traditional methods when he knew he could easily harness AI to speed up his workflow.
“I thought I would use AI tools for the foundation’s strategy reviews this year, which require reading hundreds of pages of briefing materials that an AI could accurately summarize for me. But old habits are hard to break, and I ended up preparing for them the same way I always do,” Gates admits.
He asserts: “In a world with limited resources, you have to find ways to maximize impact. Innovation is the key to getting the most out of every dollar spent. And artificial intelligence is about to accelerate the rate of new discoveries at a pace we’ve never seen before.”
Gates projects widespread AI adoption in high-income countries within 18–24 months, and similar levels in lesser-developed African countries within three years.
Dr Robot
Gates foresees a significant acceleration in scientific progress due to AI, particularly in medicine. He points out AI’s ability to analyze large data sets rapidly, aiding in developing treatments for diseases like cancer and prioritizing global health issues like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Nuclear-Powered Change
Photo 9226800 © Rene Jansa | Dreamstime.com
Gates also anticipates innovative advancements in the energy sector, particularly in complex areas like nuclear power, to address climate change.
With regard to the environment, Gates observes a maturing dialogue, with discussions moving beyond wind and solar energy to encompass agriculture, manufacturing, and nuclear energy. He observes the growing acceptance of nuclear energy, and the shift in conversations from skepticism to, finally, scaling the technology.
“Nuclear is the only carbon-free energy source that can reliably deliver power day and night, through every season, almost anywhere on earth, that has been proven to work on a large scale,” Gates remarks.
Gates also advocates for the importance of upgrading electric grids and improving power transmission to fully harness advancements in clean electricity generation.
Leadership Holds the Key
Image generated on AI
With the 2024 elections on the horizon, Gates stresses the importance of electing leaders who understand the value of investing in human development globally. He highlights the significance of these elections for health and climate progress, urging voters to consider candidates who prioritize these issues.
“I recently read a statistic that blew my mind: More people might vote in 2024 than in any other year in history,” Gates shares. “Citizens from nearly 60 countries will head to the polls next year to elect leaders at all levels of government. Those countries are home to more than four billion people—or more than half of the world’s population. It’s staggering to think about.”
For anyone anywhere who is headed to the polls in 2024, Gates has one piece of advice: “Consider electing leaders who understand the importance of investing in human development around the world.”
“History has proven time and time again that, when governments choose to engage with and help people outside their borders, the entire world benefits,” says the billionaire. “I believe the 2024 elections will be a turning point for both health and climate.”
Concluding with a message of optimism, Gates reflects on the rapid pace of innovation and the progress made on issues despite these challenging times.
“I’m lucky that my work gives me insight into all the ways the world is getting better. The challenges we face feel a lot less daunting when you understand what exactly it will take to tackle them.”
Gates says he remains hopeful about the future, believing in the power of innovation to create a more equitable world.
[via Seattle Times and Axios, images via various sources]