Bill Gates warns AI could trigger massive job loss and urges urgent policy action

Bill Gates told one outlet that AI has reached perilous levels across multiple sectors and will likely leave the labor market with far fewer jobs than currently available, a shift from his earlier, more optimistic stance. He expressed shock at the lack of response from governments and tech firms, urging immediate policy measures like taxing AI usage and protecting workers through human-reserved job categories. Gates highlighted the potential for societal backlash as jobs disappear, and warned that unchecked AI could amplify bioterrorism threats by a factor of fifty compared to natural pandemics.

He cited private conversations with Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman and DeepMind co-founder Demis Hassabis, both of whom have recently warned about AI’s sweeping impact. While acknowledging that his warning is a forecast, Gates emphasized that only large-scale government action, not philanthropy or market forces alone, can mitigate the looming crisis.