The co-founder and former CEO of Microsoft turned philanthropist Bill Gates envisions a world where machines do the majority of tasks and humans only need to work three days a week.
What Happened: On Trevor Noah’s “What Now?” podcast, Gates advocated for a shorter work week, attributing the possibility to the advancement of Technology like artificial intelligence, reported Business Insider.
Noah asked Gates about his take on AI posing a threat to jobs done by humans today, to which the Microsoft co-founder replied by saying maybe in the future, humans “don’t have to work so hard.”
He suggested a society where a three-day workweek is the norm, thanks to machines fulfilling most of our needs. “If you eventually get a society where you only have to work three days a week, that’s probably OK.”
Despite the optimistic vision, Gates has previously cautioned about the misuse of AI. He compared its potential impact to the introduction of the PC, stating that both employers and employees had to adapt, and they did.
Gates’ prediction echoes JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon’s statement about a potential 3.5-day workweek in the future due to advancements in the realm of AI.
Why It Matters: Gates’ statements align with his previous praise for OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT, which he referred to as a significant invention like the internet, potentially capable of changing the world.
Conversely, the rise of AI and automation has sparked concerns over job security. It’s estimated that AI could affect nearly one billion knowledge workers worldwide and eliminate 14 million jobs.
However, sectors involving skilled trades, manual labor, and roles that blend physical, knowledge, and social work may be less impacted by this shift.
Various companies globally are exploring the impact of a reduced work week, with tests showing improved work-life balance and efficiency. This lends credence to the future Gates envisions, where technological advancements enable a shorter work week.
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This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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