Bill Gates has projected that artificial intelligence will drastically reduce the need for human involvement in many traditional areas such as medicine and education — a transformation he believes could take place in under a decade.
In a recent appearance on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon, the Microsoft co-founder described a future in which AI handles tasks that currently require human expertise, making people unnecessary “for most things.”
Today, proficiency in medicine and teaching is “rare,” Gates noted, saying those fields depend on “a great doctor” or “a great teacher.” But in the next 10 years, he said, “great medical advice [and] great tutoring” will be widely accessible and free, thanks to advances in AI.
Gates expanded on this concept — which he’s referred to as the era of “free intelligence” — during a conversation last month with Harvard professor Arthur Brooks. He predicted that AI will increasingly integrate into everyday life, transforming sectors from healthcare to education by making diagnostic tools and tutoring services broadly available.
“It’s very profound and even a little bit scary — because it’s happening very quickly, and there is no upper bound,” Gates told Brooks.
Experts continue to debate what role humans will play in an AI-dominated world. While some argue AI will boost productivity and unlock new opportunities, others raise concerns about long-term job security.
Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman has warned of the disruptive nature of AI in the workplace. In his 2023 book, The Coming Wave, Suleyman wrote that AI tools would initially enhance human capabilities and spur economic growth — but ultimately replace human labor.
Gates, however, remains hopeful about the long-term benefits of AI, citing its potential to accelerate medical discoveries, address climate change, and provide global access to education.
