Bill Gates Warns AI Could Be 'Worst Driver of Inequality' in 6,000-Character Essay

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has recently shifted his stance on AI. Formerly an AI optimist, he now worries that AI could become the 'worst driver of inequality,' warning in an essay of approximately 6,000 characters about the disruptive transition of the AI era and the lack of preparation for it.

Gates pointed out that this AI transition is larger and faster than the PC or past innovations, noting that while performance issues in current models are being resolved quickly, the overall societal impact is being underestimated. He stated, "This time is really different," and revealed that he would support any credible plan to slow down AI progress globally.

Regarding the impact on the job market, he predicted that both white-collar and blue-collar jobs are at risk of being replaced by AI, with many jobs disappearing permanently. Accordingly, he proposed specific policy alternatives, such as taxing AI tokens and robots to curb corporate workforce replacement and expand social funds. He also suggested reserving some jobs for humans, emphasizing the need to prepare for the social upheaval AI will bring.