Has the machine age begun? Artificial intelligence risks making thousands of jobs disappear, if not millions, a real risk that cannot be underestimated. Bill Gates raised the alarm in an interview with the New York Times: “Artificial intelligence is more dangerous than industry leaders want to publicly admit: the transition it will entail will be one of the most turbulent periods in human history and governments are not prepared to face it.”
Bill Gates’ alarm
The founder of Microsoft spoke of the risks of this technology, especially for the world of work: “Many jobs will disappear forever. In 1933, during the Great Depression, unemployment in the United States reached 25%. AI may not reach those levels, but its impact will not fade away in one economic cycle. Governments should reserve 40% of jobs only for humans.” “I like the phrase ‘reserved for humans’ – he added – because it makes me think of nature reserves, places where buildings and roads could be built but which we have decided to preserve because they would be too great a loss.”
The “hidden” concern
Gates, who has urged governments around the world to collaborate, decided to break the silence on the impact of the new technology, also speaking about the threats ignored or minimized for economic reasons: “In private, those who understand how this technology is improving are very worried, but few in the technology sector are willing to admit it. Now they say to each other: ‘don’t say it, it hurts us, the billions of dollars we are trying to raise are at stake.”
The robot tax
“Artificial intelligence will be either the greatest tool for equality ever invented or the worst source of injustice – highlighted Gates –. The challenge is colossal. Unfortunately, we are not currently preparing to face it. I see no signs that leaders, experts and communities are managing these challenges adequately”. The founder of Microsoft also proposed taxation for robots: “Now, if you are a company and you hire, you pay taxes. But if you buy a robot you can immediately deduct the expense from your taxes. This shows how the tax system pushes to replace people with machines.”